State Rep. Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow) plans to introduce legislation in 2012 to compel state universities to begin testing student-athletes for prescripition medication abuse. Ritze also indicated his plan could eventually encompass testing of high school athletes.

Ritze said the recent death of former Enid High School star athlete and Oklahoma Sooners’ linebacker Austin Box May 19 due to a prescription drug overdose was an indication such testing is needed.

“If we aren’t proactive, there are going to be more Austin Boxes,” Ritze said.

“Athletes get hurt all the time. You are dealing with an innocent group of people in athletics who want to perform and want to play. They don’t want to lose their position and want to take it to a higher level,” Ritze said.

Ritze, a physician who practiced family medicine for 35 years and is the former deputy medical examiner for the Tulsa area, believes current drug testing as mandated by the NCAA, is “superficial” and does not go far enough in addressing potential drug abuse in student- athletes.

Testing mandated by the NCAA for its student-athletes involves screening for eight “street level drugs” such as marijuana and cocaine, but does not test for prescription drug abuse.

University of Oklahoma tests all of its student-athletes within such guidelines, according to OU’s Senior Associate Athletics Director Kenny Mossman.

“At OU we test all of the student-athletes during their competitive season, then a minimum of 20 percent of them are tested out of the competitive season,” Mossman said. “It is not uncommon for someone to be tested multiple times during the season.”

Mossman added that, in addition to OU’s testing policy, the NCAA and Big 12 also conduct tests at their events.

Student-athletes at OU who test positive once are counseled and a plan may be established if rehabilitation is deemed necessary. Subsequent positive tests can include penalties up to expulsion from the athletic program.

Mossman believes OU’s current policy on drug testing is appropriate.

 “We feel that our testing, combined with that of our legislative bodies, is comprehensive,” Mossman said. “Based on the level and frequency of testing occurring on our campus, we don’t sense a need for the state’s involvement.”

Oklahoma State Associate Athletic Director Kevin Klintworth said OSU follows a similar testing program in addition to testing for other drugs.

“I do know that prescription drugs are one of the five panels that are included in our drug testing,” Klintworth said.

State Rep. Mike Jackson (R-Enid) said he supports Ritze’s proposal, but raises concerns about funding.

“I don’t have any problem with the concept. At the same time, we have to be prudent with the resources we have,” Jackson said.

“We do need to make sure the athlete is safe, but also the athlete has to understand playing sports in Oklahoma is a privelege.”

 High schools in Oklahoma currently perform testing on a district-by-district basis.

Jackson’s concern over funding was echoed by Enid High School boys athletic coordinator and head football coach Tommy Parker.

“We had a drug testing policy in years past,” Parker said. “But it was funded by a grant and when the grant money ran out, testing was discontinued. I support anything we can do to keep our kids safe, but cost is always part of the equation.”

Ritze stated his plan would not include additional state funding for testing.

“This would be funded through (the school’s) current athletic program budgets,” Ritze explained.

Ritze said his plan may eventually include high school testing, which would be funded by a fee charged to the student-athlete similar to what is charged at other high schools that test their student-athletes.

“At Broken Arrow (High School) there currently is a $15 per student fee for basic, rudimentary drug testing,” Ritze said.

Ritze indicated he understands the concerns over funding but believes there is a larger, overriding issue.

“I would rather see us face this issue now rather than later and lose another outstanding young athlete,” he said.