Soropa Blog

As of late steroid use in sports has been the topic of
conversation by the media. From Jose Conseco appearing on Donnie
Deustch’s “The Big Idea” which airs on CNBC to Congress looking
to pass legislation to regulate steroid use in professional
sports.

Is steroid use a problem in pro sports?

Well it depends on who you asked, but steroids weren’t developed
in 2005, they have been around for quite some time. Most people
associated bodybuilding with steroid use so football and
baseball players that may have used them just flew under the
radar.

As sports enthusiasts question records that were broken and bash
those pro athletes that have been singled out for steroid use,
the big problem isn’t the use of steroids by pro athletes but
the use of steroids by the youth.

Of course kids that are playing baseball in the schoolyard look
up to their role models and try to emulate them. So laws being
passed to eliminate the use of steroids in pro sports may have
an impact, but having a law isn’t enough. There has to be an
educational process developed so that the youth really
understands the dangers of steroid use.

Legislation without Education in this instance would be a big
error.

When educators and politicians thought that speaking about drugs
or sexually transmitted diseases might increase the use of drugs
or sexual activity with the youth, they found out that kids knew
more than they thought. So they have to take the same stance
with steroids early on.

They have to assume that young athletes are aware of steroids
and some perhaps use them. Then move forward accordingly and
educate the youth on what they are and the harm that they may
cause.

I am amazed that a pro athlete would come out via a book and
admit their steroid use but does not take the responsibility of
publicly denouncing steroid use with the youth and making public
statements along those lines. Perhaps tainting the careers of
other pro athletes was good enough but any pro athlete that has
thousands if not millions of kids looking up to them have a
responsibility to the public.

Maybe congress should work with MLB, the NFL, NHL and NBA and
create PSA’s warning of the dangers of steroid use and begin a
program in schools educating the youth on steroid use. Another
good idea would be to develop a program to educate the parents
as well.

We will see what develops in the coming months and hopefully
legislators will keep in mind that they have to include
education with legislation as it relates to steroids.

Louis Victor New Age Media Concepts 646-403-9972