Anabolic Steroids in Teens

On the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s website on anabolic steroids they have some shocking statistics with regards to the use of anabolic steroids. It is reported that children as early as eighth grade have admitted to using steroids with 1.6% of those surveyed admitting to using the drugs. This figure goes up to 2.7% for twelfth graders which makes it appear that there is a fair amount of steroid use within high school. This was shocking to me and is not publicized much. It seems that the media is so focused on the high profile professional athletes and do not talk about high school athletes who are putting themselves at a large risk for injury. Anabolic steroids have a number of dangerous side effects including liver cancer, heart attacks, and higher cholesterol and can also stunt growth in teens (Drugs). These are not things to speak lightly about and are serious problems that teens are putting themselves unnecessarily at risk for. Another problem with anabolic steroids is that they are illegal, not only for sports but in 1991 it was made illegal to possess or sell anabolic steroids without a prescription (Drugs). This is another aspect that I don’t think get’s talked about enough. It should be enough of a deterrent that it is illegal to take anabolic steroids, but it is not, and it just goes to show how people are willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead.

Drug Facts. Office of National Drug Control Policy. 27 Nov. 2007 http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/steroids/index.html#top