| NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS PO Box 20626 (64195-0626),11724 NW Plaza
Circle, Kansas City, MO 64153-1158 816-464-5400 / FAX 816.464.5571 / www.nfshsa.org
NFHS Addresses Food Supplements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jerry Diehl
KANSAS CITY, MO (August 14, 1998) - In response to the recent focus on the use of food
supplements, specifically creatine, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has issued
a position statement on the use of drugs, medicine and food supplements in interscholastic
sports. Text of the committee's statement follows:
"School personnel and coaches should not dispense any drug, medication or food
supplement except with extreme caution and in accordance with policies developed in
consultation with parents, health-care professionals and senior administrative personnel
of the school or school district.
"Use of any drug, medication or food supplement in a way not prescribed by the
manufacturer should not be authorized or encouraged by school personnel and coaches. Even
natural substances in unnatural amounts may have short-term or long-term negative health
effects.
"In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes, maintain
ethical standards and reduce liability risks, school personnel and coaches should never
supply, recommend or permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely for
performance-enhancing purposes."
Jerry Diehl, assistant director of the NFHS and staff liaison to the Sports Medicine
Advisory Committee, said the committee issued this statement in response to requests from
member state high school associations to address the increased use of food supplements
such as creatine.
The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee is composed of four state association
representatives and six members of the medical community, and is chaired by Don Herrmann
of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.
MEDIA CONTACT:Bruce Howard or John Gillis, 816-464-5400
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