My novel solution to steroid use….
1. This first solution calls for “tailor made” approaches to deal with steroid addiction. There is usually a set way to deal with steroid use and set penalties. However, because of the psychological side effects of steroids, one can’t be so sure that everyone will react in the same way. It is because of this that I believe that every individual be treated uniquely so that they can be given the proper attention and can be dealt with in the best way possible. On top of that, because so many high schoolers take steroids for self esteem issues, it would help to see that someone cares about them and wants to help them……check out the link to the site that sets the program up….until now there hasn’t really been an approach like this
http://www.addictionintervention.com/addiction/steroids.asp
2. Continuing with the intervention approach, the ATLAS (Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids) program has been instituted in high schools around the US to educate kids about steroid use and provide alternatives to using steroids. It includes a classroom component where they learn about nutrition, the effects of steroids, and strength training alternatives. The seven in-class sessions are also used to hone decision making skills as well as drug refusal skills by having kids talk to kids. There is also a weight training component to the program. Seven sessions are conducted to teach athletes proper weight training and strength techniques so that they can get the maximum out of their training without having to resort to steroids. 1,500 high school football players from 31 schools in the Portland area were tested and the 1-year resutls show that compared with the students from the control group, those who participated in the ATLAS program knew more about excersie, nutrition and the side effects of steroids. This can only mean that they have a lesser chance of taking steroids in the future because they know the full story….
http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_notes/NNvol12N4/Steroid.html
CONCLUSION:
I truly believe that in order to stop this problem, it is important to educate kids about steroids and show them that it is not all fun and games….there are real consequences. Nothing radical can be done about this problem because it is similar to drug use in the sense that cracking down harder may make it more appealing for people to do it. If we educate the kids properly, they will be able to make a more informed decision, and at this point, that’s all we can hope for….
I like both of your ideas, but I like your second idea better especially the part about informing the side effects of taking steroids.
In fact, when I was in high school, a famous retired Canadian boxer, came to our school and talked about many of his friends taking steroids and how they ended up getting cancer and I think that really made some kids think twice about using steroids.
Also, I agree with the fact that showing the kids that you can get big without the aid of steroids is a good idea.
But, I think even with all that, I think there will still be quite a bit of the highschool students (especially atheletes taking steroids) unless they face legal consequences.
So, my question is, what if the school does random doping tests on the students and prosecute them according to the law?
Do you think that would stop the usage of steroids among the students?
It’s kind of hard to test for steroids in high school because of the fact that the kids are minors….so it will open up another can of worms. It’s something that I’ve actually thought of in the past as a good option, but the legal ramifications of it all could be hard to predict. Plus, there are certain things that can’t be tested for, such as Human Growth Hormone (HGH), so if they’re on that then no one will ever know anyway. Plus, when dealing with high school students, I’m sure that they may not agree to being drug tested considering what goes on at parties in high school! That being said, the safest way at this point is probably to just educate them and hopefully they can be responsible enough….