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School Safety: The Cost of Bulking Up

By Megan Roth

Earlier this month I discussed the prevelance of drugs in schools around the nation. One thing I neglected to mention, however, was that anabolic steroids were not factored into those statistics; this could be a problem, considering students are taking steroids and steroids are in fact a drug. So what aren't they factored into the statistics?

In large part, steroids are accepted in the world of sports (regardless of what level that sport occurs). I'm not saying they're condoned or supported, but accepted - yes. People who know about the drugs often look the other way when athletes take the drug to boost athletic performance.

Steroids are synthesized from the male hormone testosterone and, generally speaking, they are successful at building muscle mass and increasing strength and endurance. Thus, it's no wonder students continue to take them. But what students aren't considering is the fact that steroids can have very damaging effects. There's evidence that steroids can stunt bone growth in teenagers, they inhibit natural hormones (thus increasing dependence on the substances), they cause issues with the liver and cholesterol levels, and can cause a whole host of cardiovascular issues (not to mention their many other damaging effects).

Yet, students take them. In fact, a 2001 survey stated 5% of all high school students reported lifetime illegal use of steroids; that's not 5% of athletes, that's 5% of ALL students! And that statistic only continues to grow as steroid use becomes more and more prevalent in high school aged students. What's worse, is that students aren't alone. They're following in the footsteps of some of the nation's greatest sports figures: Roger Clemens, Ben Johnson, Marion Jones, and a few select others. You know, all incredibly gifted athletes who lost it all in result of the drug.

It's easy to criticize such individuals - to call them stupid or reckless for having it all and throwing it away for the drug. However, in many ways, it's not really their fault. Steroids are just like any other drug: the body becomes addicted, the mind becomes addicted, the addict knows using them is wrong but creates explanations in excuse of their behavior and they go on using them, just hoping they don't get caught. I know many individuals claim steroids aren't addictive, but the effects of the drugs sure makes their users sound like addicts to me.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on September 26, 2008 (boomark / email).