Support lags for research on steroid effects

Article Abstract:

In recent years the use of anabolic steroids by athletes has created a great deal of controversy. The physical side-effects, short- and long-term, as well as the ethical ambiguities have fostered a reexamination of existing laws and policies governing their use. The International Olympic Committee is still working out a draft of a new charter and hopes that a comprehensive policy will be in place in the 1990s. Both the US and the Soviet Union have agreed to cooperate in an effort to stop the use of steroids by athletes in their countries. In the US efforts are in effect to re-categorize anabolic steroids as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Proponents of this proposed bill believe that it will help in the restriction of these drugs. Opponents, including the American Medical Association, feel that a poor precedent would be set and the erroneous classification of a drug is a poor substitute for effective efforts to regulate controlled substances and to control drug abuse. In addition, it is argued that most steroids that are abused by athletes are obtained illegally and that making steroids a controlled substance will not have an impact on these users. Another concern is the lack of grant money available for any studies on the effect of steroids, in particular, the long-term effects. An area that is in need of research is the psychological effects of steroids. Lawyers are especially interested in obtaining information concerning the psychological effects of steroids to defend the validity of a steroid-induced behavior defense for their clients. Some health professionals also argue that the exaggeration of the detrimental short-term effects of the drug will lead to a lack of credibility for this medication on the part of the medical community. The example of the reactionary phenomena, witnessed in the 1920s and 1930s in the US, which lead to an overall resurgence of illegal drug use, is cited. Finally, strong negative reaction that is exhibited regarding the use of steroids is attributed to the current general negative perception of drug use.

Research, Identification and classification, Control, Drug abuse, Athletes, Drug testing

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Blunting ''steroid epidemic'' requires alternatives, innovative education

Article Abstract:

The use of anabolic steroids by athletes to build muscle strength makes headlines when the athletes are professional or of Olympic-caliber quality. However, the use of steroids remains high not only in these groups, but in high school athletes as well. The Department of Health and Human services estimates that 262,000 adolescents have used or are using steroids. This figure suggests that from 5 to 10 percent of boys and 0.5 to 2.5 percent of girls have some involvement with anabolic steroids. Although there are indications that educational programs are expanding public awareness of the potential hazards of steroid use, surveys of the 10-to-14 age group indicate that much more needs to be done. One survey of youth in this age bracket reported that 45 percent believe steroid use would improve their athletic performance, 68 percent believe that Olympic athletes use steroids, and 55 percent feel that steroid use alone would improve their muscle size and strength. Forty-three percent believe that steroids are not harmful if the user is careful, and 15 percent say they might use steroids in the future. One of the more disturbing aspects of this casual attitude towards steroid use is that little is known about the possible adverse effects of steroids during development. The potential harm might be far greater than for an adult athlete whose bone growth and hormonal development is essentially complete. An additional finding of the investigation of adolescent attitudes towards steroids is a resurgence of amphetamine use among young athletes. Many young football players report taking amphetamines prior to a game to heighten their aggressiveness. Education about the adverse effects of drug use is, by itself, apparently inadequate. Innovative ways must be found to get the young to respond to and act upon this knowledge. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Complications and side effects, Children, Surveys, Drug use, Drugs and youth, Juvenile drug abuse, editorial

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Ethical, as well as physiological, questions continue to arise over athletes' steroid abuse

Article Abstract:

Continuing concern has arisen over the both physiologic and ethical issues of athletes using drugs in general and anabolic steroids in particular. Athletes often feel the need to use them because very small differences in athletic ability can mean the difference between championship and ending up an also-ran. Additional pressure is placed on athletes when they suspect that others are using steroids. Many high- performance sports have become an event not in athletic competition, but in the design and creation of an athletic type. Many athletes, coaches, and trainers see drugs not as an act of misconduct, but simply as a progressive development in sports. Many physicians consider it their responsibility to tell the athletes they treat that not only are these compounds biologically dangerous, but that they are illegal and morally wrong. Although there are many reports of the negative medical aspects of uncontrolled steroid use, the total picture continues to require research and documentation. Some of these data may be suppressed simply because some physicians find it morally wrong to give drugs to healthy people. The ethics of the situation also require discussion. It has been suggested that many college athletes are treated as special people and grow so accustomed to receiving unusual treatment that they believe themselves to be immune from the moral rules that govern society in general. It is a short move emotionally to believing that other rules can similarly be bent, perhaps even to criminality.

Ethical aspects, Steroids (Drugs), Steroids (Organic compounds)

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