WHEREAS, the National Federation of State High School Associations recently advised its membership of a heightened concern regarding the widespread use of nutritional supplements by high school-aged students; and

WHEREAS, these nutritional supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and may contain potentially harmful ingredients, such as creatine, ephedrine, or excessive amounts of caffeine; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, the Board of Directors of the National Federation of State High School Associations issued a position statement on the use of drugs, medications, and supplements by participants in interscholastic sports that strongly recommended that all student-athletes and their parents or guardians consult with their physicians before taking any supplemental products; and

WHEREAS, in addition, school personnel, including coaches, were advised not to dispense any drugs, medications, or supplements, except with extreme caution, and in accordance with state regulations and policies; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of State High School Associations, through its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, has issued a new warning about nutritional supplements to remind student-athletes, parents, and school officials that supplements in the form of pills, powder, drinks, and food sources purporting to enhance strength or endurance, or both, should be ingested, if at all, only in accordance with applicable laws and upon the advice of one's own health care provider; and

WHEREAS, because of the reported high level of supplement use by teenagers, the National Federation of State High School Associations is asking that its warning be given increased emphasis by all concerned parties; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Department of Health and the Department of Education are requested to determine the need to regulate and monitor the use of non-prescription drugs, medications, and nutritional supplements by participants in interscholastic sports; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health and Department of Education are requested to report their findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health and the Superintendent of Education.

Report Title:

Interscholastic Athletics; Prohibition of Non-prescription Drugs, Medications, and Nutritional Supplements