State of New Jersey
Executive Order #46

Acting Governor Richard J. Codey
WHEREAS, according to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, steroid use among teens has more than doubled over the last decade, with an especially alarming increase among teenage girls; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that the use of steroids and other performance enhancers has profoundly harmful effects on the physical and mental health of teens; and

WHEREAS, the documented health risks of steroid use include, among others, the increased chance of suffering heart attack or stroke; of developing liver and other cancers; and of triggering mood and hormonal imbalances; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey must take immediate steps to assess and combat this problem before it becomes a public health crisis;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD J. CODEY, Acting Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

  1. There is hereby established the Governor's Task Force on Steroid Use and Prevention (hereinafter "The Task Force"). The Task Force shall be composed of the Commissioners of Education and Health and Senior Services and 16 public members, drawn from the fields of education, science, athletics, law, and journalism, who have expertise and experience in assessing and tackling teen steroid use.

  2. The Governor shall appoint the Chair of the Task Force. The members of the Task Force shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall not receive compensation for their service on the Task Force.

  3. The Task Force shall be responsible for:
    (1) holding public hearings and a summit to gather information on the physical and psychological effects of steroid use on teenagers;

    (2) determining the extent of the problem among high school student-athletes in New Jersey;

    (3) ascertaining the feasibility and prudence of steroid testing;

    (4) developing a Statewide steroid education program to be taught in our schools;

    (5) determining the most appropriate academic setting, such as physical education or health class, in which to implement said educational program;

    (6) examining the effects and prevalence of other performance enhancers, such as nutritional supplements, and determining whether to include information on them in the proposed educational program;

    (7) crafting a comprehensive policy on steroid use and prevention, to be introduced throughout New Jersey schools.

  4. By December 1, 2005, the Task Force shall present to the Acting Governor a comprehensive report setting forth its findings and recommendations for addressing the problem of teen steroid use.

  5. In addition, a Summit on Steroid Use and Prevention for State high school athletic directors and other school administrators shall be convened this winter. The Summit will serve to educate school personnel about the issue of teen steroid use and about concrete steps they can take to eliminate the problem in their individual schools.

  6. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 19th day
of July in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Five, and of the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Thirtieth.

/s/ Richard J. Codey

Acting Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Paul T. Fader

Chief Counsel to the Governor