Steroids In The News.....

STEROIDS IN THE NEWS - AND ON THE T.V.

Here's a nice piece of news I thought you'd like - and a date not to be missed to see a US TV program dedicated to steroid use.

I particularly like this line from the news below...

"The best way for athletes of all ages to improve their performance is to follow a well-designed training and nutrition program. True success in sports takes talent, skill, practice and hard work -- not drugs."

Someone should tell this to the world's athletes at the next olympics :-)

Here's the full news article:-

Public Service Announcements and 'In the Mix' Show Highlight the Dangers Of Anabolic Steroids
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Part of the angst of adolescence is concern about body image. In the quest for physical perfection and athletic performance America's young adults increasingly have turned to anabolic steroids, despite the serious side effects of these drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which began a public education program about abuse of anabolic steroids in April 2000, is now distributing public service announcements in English and Spanish to television stations across the country. The announcements are designed to educate teens, parents and others about the dangers of anabolic steroid abuse.

The Institute also participated in the development of ``Steroids: The Hard Truth,'' a special on anabolic steroid abuse among young people that will air on In the Mix, a popular television show for teens (airing on PBS stations, February 16, 2002, to February 23, 2002, check local listings). This program addresses the growing use of anabolic steroids by girls as well as boys. It features interviews with teens on sports and self-image; and provides insights from ex-users and experts who reveal the dangers and misconceptions about steroids.

``Anabolic steroids is the familiar name for synthetic substances related to testosterone, the male sex hormone,'' said Dr. Glen Hanson, Acting Director, NIDA. ``While these drugs have medical uses, such as treating delayed puberty, when abused, anabolic steroids have serious health consequences. Instead of enhancing body image, in fact, they can do the very opposite. In boys and men, the abuse of anabolic steroids can reduce sperm production, shrink the testicles, and cause impotence and irreversible breast enlargement. Girls and women can develop more masculine characteristics such as deepening of the voice and excessive body hair.''

In addition to the public service announcements, NIDA has a Research Report: Anabolic Steroid Abuse and other information about the health effects of these drugs on its websites (http://www.drugabuse.gov or http://www.steroidabuse.org ). This information may also be requested by calling the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) at 1-800-729-6686.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports more than 85 percent of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to ensure the rapid dissemination of research information and its implementation in policy and practice. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and other topics can be ordered free of charge in English and Spanish by calling NIDA Infofax at 1-888-NIH-NIDA (644-6432) or 1-888-TTY-NIDA (889-6432) for the deaf. These fact sheets and further information on NIDA research and other activities can be found on the NIDA home page at http://www.drugabuse.gov .

Anabolic Steroids: Is Winning Worth Losing Your Health?
By Glen Hanson, Ph.D., D.D.S.
Acting Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Professional and amateur athletes alike may be tempted to use anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass and strength. Because anabolic steroids are related to the male sex hormone, testosterone, many athletes mistakenly believe that these drugs -- sometimes called ``roids,'' ``rocket fuel,'' and ``juice,'' -- are safe.

In fact, scientific research shows that these drugs can harm athletes by causing physical changes that may be irreversible and undesirable.

For example, the side effects of anabolic steroids abuse include potentially fatal liver cysts, liver cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. Researchers also are studying the profound behavioral effects and personality changes that may occur with steroid abuse, including uncontrolled aggression and violent behavior called ``roid rage,'' extreme mood swings, paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment from feelings of invincibility. Users who inject steroids and share needles risk contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

In men, male pattern baldness, breast development, and changes in the reproductive system such as a reduction in testicle size, infertility, and impotence, are common. In women, steroids can cause the development of masculine characteristics such as decreased breast size, a deepened voice, excess body hair, and baldness. Use of these drugs by adolescents of both sexes may make them shorter because steroids can stop bone growth.

The 2001 Monitoring the Future Survey, an annual survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, showed that between 1991 and 2001 use of anabolic steroids by 12th graders increased from 2.1 percent in 1991 to 3.7 percent in 2001. The number of 12th graders who disapproved of use of these drugs fell from 90.5 percent in 1991 to 86.4 percent in 2001. These trends are a cause for concern and one reason that the National Institute on Drug Abuse and several partners, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Federation of High Schools, are working together to highlight the dangers of anabolic steroids.

The best way for athletes of all ages to improve their performance is to follow a well-designed training and nutrition program. True success in sports takes talent, skill, practice and hard work -- not drugs.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the National Institutes of Health. For more information about the health effects of anabolic steroids, visit the homepage of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at http://www.drugabuse.gov or its special website at http://www.steroidabuse.org or call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686

If it stops younger people using them who are un- educated or responsible enough to ascertain that steroids can damage your health or those that train for a few months and think they are ready to do AAS I,m all for it.