SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A bill to bar coaches from encouraging students to use performance-enhancing nutritional supplements was rejected Thursday by the Oregon House after opponents called it misguided and overly broad.

The measure had won easy approval in the Senate, where supporters said that while nutritional supplements can make young athletes stronger and faster, they also can lead to long-term health problems.

The bill failed in the House on a 30-27 vote despite being backed by the Oregon School Activities Association and various health care professionals.

House opponents noted that under current law it’s already illegal to use unprescribed steroids for performance enhancement and that the Senate bill takes aim at legal dietary supplements such as creatine.

Rep. Scott Bruun called the bill a “solution in search of a problem,” and said it unfairly lumps in illegal substances such as steroids with legal substances such as protein powder.

“This is a horrible bill. What it is is a prohibition against protein,” the West Linn Republican said.

Supporters of the bill said it would send a message to coaches, teachers and others in a position of responsibility that they should not encourage students to use the substances.

“All this bill says is, ‘Coach, do your coaching, but don’t prescribe anything,’ “ said Rep. Steve March, D-Portland.

Other supporters said medical studies have shown that use of nutritional supplements such as creatine can lead to health problems such as depression, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The bill would prohibit school administrators, teachers, employees and volunteers from “promoting, suggesting, or supplying
performance-enhancing supplements to students.”

Offenders would face a maximum of three months in jail or a $500 fine, or both.

Similar legislation has been approved in Michigan, Illinois and Texas, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Proponents of such a ban in Oregon said that coaches and others need to encourage student athletes to rely on proper nutrition and physical conditioning — not dietary supplements — to become better athletes.

“This is about keeping young athletes healthy and safe,” said Rep. Debi Farr, R-Eugene.

The bill was prompted in part by reports in 2003 that a South Eugene High School football coach — former NFL quarterback Chris Miller — offered a creatine-based supplement to his players. The Eugene School District has since adopted a policy prohibiting the practice.

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On the Net:
Senate Bill 6
www.leg.state.or.us