The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) conducted a 2001 study, Monitoring the Future, surveying kids in grades 8 through 12, which revealed that since 1991, the numbers of anabolic steroid users has increased significantly. Among 8th graders, an increase of 50 percent was noted, with increases of 75 percent among 10th graders, and 60 percent among 12th graders. Even though adolescent boys use anabolic steroids at a higher rate than adolescent girls, the abuse is growing most rapidly amongst adolescent girls.
More troubling is the fact that the increase indicates that these youths are either unaware of the hazardous risks associated with anabolic steroids, or unphased by them. "In December 1999 when our Monitoring the Future survey showed that. . .the perceived risk about steroids had declined among 12th graders, we knew we had to take steps to reverse this trend before it gained momentum," explained Dr. Alan I. Leshner, Director, NIDA.
For those who might think that anabolic steroids are a harmless way to "bulk up" or achieve athletic goals, NIDA has evidence to dispute that fallacy. With the launch of its website, http://www.steroidabuse.org/, and a multimedia public education initiative, NIDA has embarked on a comprehensive campaign to educate coaches, parents, teachers, and athletes on the dangers of anabolic steroids and healthy alternatives to strength training.
NIDA researchers are aware that most adolescents understand that anabolic steroids build muscles and can increase athletic prowess. Credibility issues arise, as research has shown, when educators fail to acknowledge the potential benefits of steroids and in turn make young teens more likely to try the drugs.
Once young teens are fully aware of what anabolic steroids can do for them and to them, they may be less likely to take the risk of trying.
Stunted bone growth, and permanent damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys are only some of the effects of steroid abuse. In addition to the 70 major physical and psychological side effects of the drug, other major health threats include increased risk of prostate, liver, and kidney cancers, jaundice, fluid retention, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and uncontrolled cholesterol.
A knowledge of the apparent risks of anabolic steroids should be in the minds of coaches, educators, parents, and players. When athletes decide to take shortcuts to get an advantage, they will not find themselves ahead of the game. In a November 17, 2003, New York Times article, N. D. Kalu, a defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles, said, "That's something you're not supposed to do."
To learn more about the dangers of anabolic steroid abuse, visit http://www.steroidabuse.org/.