INDIANAPOLIS, IN (November 8, 2002) - In response to an increasing concern about the use of supplements by student-athletes at the high school level, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has reiterated its stance against improper use of these products, which are unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and which contain potentially harmful ingredients such as creatine, ephedrine or excessive amounts of caffeine.     In 1998, the NFHS issued a position statement on the use of drugs, medications and supplements by participants in interscholastic sports. With current empirical data indicating continued widespread use of such products by persons of high school age, the NFHS, through its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, reminds leaders in the nation's 18,000 high schools of the key points of that statement:    "All student-athletes and their parents/guardians should consult with their physicians before taking any supplement product. In addition, coaches and school staff should not recommend or supply any supplement product to student-athletes."    The statement was issued at the request of the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and was intended to serve as a strongly worded warning to student-athletes, parents and school officials. The warning reminded all interested parties that medications, supplements and consumables purporting to enhance strength and/or endurance should be ingested, if at all, only in accordance with applicable laws, manufacturer's dosage limits and the advice of one's own health-care provider.    "Because of the reported high level of supplement usage by teenagers, the NFHS is asking that its warning be given increased emphasis by all interested parties," said Jerry Diehl, NFHS assistant director and staff liaison to the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.    The NFHS recently published the second edition of the NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook, a 96-page publication that contains information on supplements, as well as many other medical, equipment and administrative issues. The first edition in 2001 was distributed to high schools throughout the country through the NFHS' member state high school associations. The current edition is available at a cost of $14.95, plus shipping and handling, and can be purchased by contacting NFHS customer service at 800-776-3462.    ###    NFHS POSITION STATEMENT ON SUPPLEMENTS    The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recently advised the membership of a heightened level of concern about nutritional supplements. Empirical data has demonstrated widespread use of such products by persons of high-school age. The products are unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and they may contain potentially harmful ingredients such as (but not limited to) creatine, ephedrine or excessive amounts of caffeine.    In 1998, the NFHS Board of Directors issued a position statement on the use of drugs, medications and supplements by participants in interscholastic sports. The NFHS' strong recommendation then and remains today that all student-athletes and their parents/guardians should consult with their physicians before taking any supplement product. In addition, school personnel, including coaches should not dispense any drug, medication or supplement except with extreme caution and in accordance with state regulations and school district policy.  School district policies should be developed in consultation with health-care professionals, senior administrative staff of the school district and parents.    The new warning about nutritional supplements was issued by the NFHS through its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, and was intended to serve as a reminder to student-athletes, parents and school officials. The warning reminded all interested parties that supplements in the form of pills, powder, drinks and food sources (medications, supplements and consumables) purporting to enhance strength and/or endurance should be ingested, if at all, only in accordance with applicable laws, and the advice of one's own health-care provider. Now because of the reported high level of supplement usage by teenagers, the NFHS is asking that its warning be given increased emphasis by all concerned parties.