School nurses in New York state are being encouraged to identify and intervene in cases of substance abuse among high school and college students, the Journal News reported on January 26.

Seventy-two nurses from high schools and colleges in the Lower Hudson Valley attended a conference stressing the role they can play in reducing youth substance use. The conference was the latest in a series of activities contributing to a Westchester County initiative to prevent teen steroid use.

New York State has no random drug testing policy for high school athletes, so the involvement of school nurses looking for warning signs and encouraging users to seek help is especially important.

"There's a lot of pressure on kids to perform," said school nurse Linda Sannicandro of the lure of steroids. "It means a lot to be bigger, especially for boys."

"Every school should have a team approach," said Gail Abraham, also a school nurse. "It should include the school nurse, the administration, psychologist, social worker as well as student and parental assistance. If it's an athlete, it should also include the athletic director and coach."