Steroid Abuse: A Hidden Crisis in High School Sports

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The use of steroids amongst high school students is problematic because not only are steroid abusers cheating at the sport they play, but they are putting themselves and their health at risk. In the same manner that professional and collegiate athletes are deterred from using steroids through drug tests and prevention programs, high school students need to be educated on the risks and side effects of steroids and fear consequences if they use steroids. While the use of steroids is prohibited in high school sports, it is not often addressed in the same manner that it is at the professional and collegiate level, for instance with drug tests, therefore high school athletes who use steroids have little chance of getting caught (Associated Press, 2014). Without …show more content…

The goal of the program is to educate high school athletes about steroids’ harmful effects that outweigh their apparent benefits, which include muscle gain and increased strength (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). To achieve this goal, Jump START is presented to high school students in a comfortable setting, such as in the school’s gym, where they will interact with the Jump START presenter to learn the short and long-term effects of steroids. In addition, Jump START informs athletes not only about the danger of steroids themselves, but the dangers posed by the black market that illegally sells them and the possibility to contract diseases from injecting the substance. Finally, the presentation will end by urging athletes to seek help if they are struggling with their own steroid abuse issues or if they are concerned for someone else who may be taking steroids. This will allow students to become informed about the risks steroids pose, why they should be avoided, and how to receive assistance if seroid abuse is present in their or their loved ones

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