“I have never used steroids. Period“ – Rafael Palmeiro 3/17/2005

1. “I have never used steroids. Period“ – Rafael Palmeiro 3/17/2005

3. What are steroids? • The proper name for “steroids” is anabolic-androgenic steroids, they are synthetic versions of the male sex hormone testosterone • Anabolic refers to muscle-building • Androgenic refers to male sex hormones • Steroids are chemical substances derived from cholesterol, including estrogen (the female sex hormone) • Steroids can be taken orally or injected • There are over 100 kinds of steroids, the most common are anadrol, dianabol, winstrol, and deca-durabolin

4. Why are steroids used? • Anabolic steroids build up muscle and bone mass along with decreasing the recovery time • Simply put, steroids work and they work fast – the biggest strength gains are observed in the first 3 weeks of use • Adding 25 lbs of muscle is not uncommon “These kids were gaining 75 pounds on their bench press in a month or so“ – Dave Walls, former Plano Senior High football player (TX) “I could grab a 10-foot-rim. I could jump a few inches higher than the rim. It kind of freaked me out at first” – Anonymous Colleyville High (TX) student-athlete http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spe/2005/steroids/index.html http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/2005-05-04-hs-steroids-cover_x.htm

5. Where do adolescents get steroids? • The most common source of steroids is from smuggling from other countries (such as Mexico and European countries) • Most high school students obtain steroids from friends, family, and other student- athletes • The Internet serves as a virtual hangout where teenagers and adults exchange information about buying and using steroids and pick up tips on managing side effects • Steroids are commonly known as roids, juice, arnolds, gym candy, strength trainers and gear

6. Prevalence of steroids in adolescents • 3.4% of 12th graders reported taking steroids at least once (NIDA research) • 2.5% of 10th graders and 1.6% of 8th graders reported taking steroids at least once • More than one million young people are taking steroids illegally • The secrecy surrounding steroid use makes it difficult to document the extent of the problem http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/HSYouthtrends.html

7. Student Survey (CA high schools – March 2004) Do you, or anyone you know take anabolic steroids? Yes – 13% boys 10% girls Are you personally aware of coaches or other sports related staff promoting the use of these substances? Yes – 18% boys 7% girls 68,780 19,196 http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/HSYouthtrends.html

8. Who is taking steroids? • Surveys and studies show that steroid use is highest among senior boys and athletes • Male athletes overall are no more likely to use anabolic steroids than male non-athletes, only highly involved athletes are more likely to use steroids (one and half times more likely) • Studies have shown that growing numbers of young girls are beginning to use steroids, with usage at about 2% (highly involved female athletes are twice as likely to use steroids than non-athletes) “It used to be bulimia was the fad choice … This is the new thing.... Now it's attractive to be thin and toned“ – Dr. Amanda Gruber, Psychiatrist at Harvard University Hospital http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0616/p01s01-ussc.html http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/cgi-bin/iowa/issues/body/article.html?record=771 http://election.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/25/health/main608758.shtml

9. Reasons why adolescents take steroids • Athletic Performance • Increase Muscle Size/Reduce Body Fat • History of Physical Abuse • Part of a Pattern of At-Risk Behavior • A recent study found that more than half of boys ages 11 to 17 chose as their physical ideal an image possible to attain only by using steroids • Males are experiencing body image anxiety at increasingly younger ages • One-third of girls and almost as many boys said they frequently thought about wanting more toned or defined muscles http://www.drugstory.org/pdfs/musclemadness2.pdf http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=12212&sidebar=574&category=wellness

10. What are the adverse effects of steroids? Long-term effects: • In adolescents, steroids can signal the bones to stop growing • Steroid abuse has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, even in athletes younger than 30 • Steroids have been linked to liver and other forms of cancer • An undetermined percentage of steroid abusers become addicted to the drug and experience withdrawal symptoms Short-term effects • Studies suggest that steroids increase irritability and aggression, it is known as “roid rage” • Steroids have been reported to cause mood swings, depression, distractibility, forgetfulness, and confusion • Acne, especially on the back, is a common side effect of steroids http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/RRSteroi.pdf

11. Sex-specific adverse effects of steroids In boys and men: • Reduced sperm production • Shrinking of testicles • Baldness • Irreversible breast enlargement In girls and women: • Decreased breast size • Deepening of the voice • Body hair • Baldness • Menstrual irregularities http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/RRSteroi.pdf

12. National programs for steroid prevention • Due to the secrecy surrounding steroid use and the relative small numbers of steroid users there are few local programs to prevent steroid use • NIDA’s “Game Plan” included launching a website, distribution of bulletins, posters, and other resources for information on steroids • NIDA supported the foundation of ATLAS and ATHETAS, gender specific model programs to prevent steroid abuse in Oregon High Schools • The research shows that incorporating peer-led drug abuse prevention and health promotion curricula into sport team settings is effective http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/steroids.html

13. Legislative approach for steroid prevention • California was the first state to establish steroid rules specifically for high-school students in 2005 • CIF implemented 3 anti-steroids measures in 2005: • A written pledge signed by students • Mandated education and training in steroids and muscle-building dietary supplements for the state's coaches to help them spot steroid use and warn players about the health dangers • A prohibition on school sponsorships from any muscle-building supplements and a ban on any school staff members encouraging or distributing muscle-building supplements. Violators would be subject to personnel actions by their schools or districts • A handful of schools are already testing for steroids, including Brawley Union High (CA) • The high cost testing for steroids - $50 to $150 dollars per test – is the biggest deterrent for testing http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/2005-05-04-hs-steroids-cover_x.htm

14. Conclusion • The use of anabolic steroids in adolescents is particularly important because not all steroid users experience the same adverse effects, and many serious problems require months or years to develop • Young people should be educated anabolic steroids are dangerous drugs with realistic messages and not “scare tactics” • Experts suggest that even a limited random testing program is better than nothing • The research shows that incorporating peer-led drug abuse prevention and health promotion curricula into sport team settings is effective http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/steroids.html

15. Additional Resources http://teens.drugabuse.gov/ http://www.steroidabuse.gov/ http://www.cifstate.org/