US Olympic Drug Control Program

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Recommended: Negative effects of steroids

“It’s not a sports problem anymore, it’s a social problem” said Dr. William N. Taylor, member of U.S Olympic Drug Control program (Silverstein 22). The use of PED’s has gone from athletic professionals to celebrities and has reached the lives of high school athletes and everyday people. In a survey conducted by Dr. Gabe Mirkin, physician and sports medicine expert, more than half of 100 teens that were asked, "If I could give you a pill that would make you an Olympic champion - and also kill you in a year - would you take it?" answered yes (Freudenrich and Allen). Many teen athletes, or teens in general, are willing to take PED’s if it means that they can reach their goals. PED’s are viewed as a short cut in order for people to reach the goals they want to see in their own bodies and athletic potential. Instead of working the old fashioned way to gain what they desire, modern society would rather have results fast, even if it means risking their health in the process. According to the 2005 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey: “6% of 12th grade males reported using steroids, among those admitting to using steroids, 80% believed the drugs could help them achieve their athletic dreams, 65% of users would use a pill if it guaranteed reaching their athletic goals, even if it might harm their health, 57 % of users said they would use it even if it could shorten their lives, additionally, 60% of users said that professional athletes influenced their (or a friend’s) decision to use PEDs” (Schafer and Porucznik). A prime example of this is 24 year old Dominic Dominguez, who admitted to doping in a personal interview. Dominguez admitted to using amphetamines and anabolic steroids in order for him to reach his dream body. When asked what fi... ... middle of paper ... ... Abuse." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. N.p., Aug. 2006. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. O'keefee, Michael. "Lance Armstrong Not Only Used Performance-enhancing Drugs, Cyclist Pushed Banned Substances on Teammates: U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Report." New York Daily News. The New York Times Company, 10 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Mar. 2014. Schafer, Michael F., MD, and Mary Ann Porucznik. If You're Not Cheating, You're Not Trying 8.3 (2014): n. pag. Mar. 2014. Web. 29 Mar. 2014. Silverstein, Alvin, Virginia B. Silverstein, and Robert A. Silverstein. Steroids: big muscles, big problems. Hillside, N.J.: Enslow Pub., 1992. Print. Veliz, Charles. “Performance Enhancing Drugs Interview.” Personal Interview. 4 April, 2014. Wright, James Edward, and Virginia S. Cowart. Anabolic Steroids: Altered States. Dubuque, IA: Brown & Benchmark, 1990. Print.

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