The announcement that former University of Hawai'i volleyball All-American Kim Willoughby tested positive for a steroid last month renews the question of whether the school, in less austere times, should begin testing current athletes for performance-enhancing drugs.

Willoughby, six years removed from a record-setting career in Manoa, was said by the Italian Olympic Committee to have tested positive for steroid use after her Italian pro team, Perugia, played Cesena April 5.

According to a UH official, Willoughby never failed a drug test at the school in a career that spanned 2000-2003, when she was a three-time All-American, the 2003 American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year and Manoa's all-time kills leader.

Willoughby was also a reserve on the U.S. Olympic team that won the silver medal in Beijing.

But then, as now, UH says it does not test its athletes in any sport for steroids. UH tests primarily for so-called "street" drugs and only one test — upon entering school for the first time — is mandated. After that UH tests only based upon what an official termed "reasonable suspicion."

The NCAA tests for steroids but only on a random basis at postseason championships and during the year. You doubt Willoughby started on steroids at UH, but no one could say with certainty if she had even been tested for steroids while playing there.

UH officials say they periodically review whether to amend their drug testing policy to include performance-enhancing substances but the likelihood of catching few violators and the high cost of testing more than 500 athletes have so far kept them from making a change.

Less than 2.5 percent of UH athletes tested have shown positive for street drugs since 2002. Testing for steroids could cost $75,000 to $100,000 per year, according to estimates. For UH, which is currently running a $2 million to $3 million annual deficit and $5.4 million in accumulated debt over five previous years, that's a pile of money the school doesn't have.

NCAA membership surveys have shown that less than 50 percent of schools tests for steroids.

Some day, in more cash-flush times — should they ever arrive — testing for performance-enhancing drugs is something UH ought to take a long look at.

Meanwhile, until then, any time there are questions about a current UH athlete — or even a former one — alleged to have used steroids, we are left to wonder.