Anabolic steroids is the common name for a group of synthetic hormones related to testosterone. It is an illegal drug used by some athletes to stimulate muscle growth and strength. Any short-term gain is far outweighed by the long-term dangers, and a new game plan needs to be put into action to curb the abuse.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) conducted a 2001 study, Monitoring the Future, surveying kids in grades eight through 12, which revealed that since 1991, the numbers of anabolic steroid users has increased significantly. Among eighth 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 first 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.
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 risks 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 in the first place.
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.
It is particularly important to remember that unlike most other drugs, the negative effects of steroids may not be apparents for months or years, and nonmedical use of steroids is also dangerous and illegal. The negative efefcts of anabolic steroids are not just physical - abusers can be depressed, irritable and very aggressive.
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.
