School districts, parent groups, youth groups and other organizations should consider supplemental programming about steroid education.  This can be done independently or local groups can invite already organized steroid education groups to address their youth.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation, for example, provides Hoot’s Chalk Talks to teenagers on the subject of performance enhancing drugs.  According to the information found on the organization’s website, it is estimated that between 750,000 and one million children use anabolic steroids and that the number is increasing rather than decreasing.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation is the only entity that is solely focused on the dangers of anabolic drugs.  It is named in memory of Taylor Hooton, a Texan, who committed suicide at age 17 because of his anabolic steroid use.

The foundation now seeks to prevent other teenagers, and their families, from similar tragedies.  If you are interested in learning more about the Taylor Hooton Foundation or scheduling a talk please visit www.taylorhooton.org.

Earlier this month, a criminal case went to trial. The defendant is a Staten Island doctor accused of selling steroids for easy cash.  The steroids that he sold allegedly killed one of his customers.

Dr. Lucente is specifically charged with 76 counts of criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance.  If convicted on all counts he could face a prison term that far exceeds his life expectancy.  The possible sentence could be more than 400 years in prison. 

The trial is expected to last at least six weeks and a verdict will not be reached until at least sometime in April.

Dr. Lucente’s case presents an important lesson for everyone who thinks that steroids are safe and “not as bad as selling other drugs.” Steroids are not safe.  It is illegal to sell steroids in the United States without a physician’s prescription.  Steroids, if not medically supervised, can be deadly.

If the allegations against Dr Lucente are true then he may have been able to make some fast cash selling steroids but it came at quite a price.  He would have been better off practicing medicine.

However – the WNBA is not the Olympics.

Marion Jones, a former Olympian who had five Olympic medals taken back after she admitted to using steroids is now playing for the WNBA.  Marion Jones won 3 gold medals and 2 bronze medals in track and field events during the 2000 Sydney summer Olympics.

Two years ago she admitted that she used steroids before, during and after the 2000 games – and she lied about it.  Accordingly, her Olympic medals were taken from her because of her doping activities and she spent six months in jail because of her dishonesty.

Ms. Jones asserts that joining the WNBA is not about redemption but about competing in a competitive basketball league.  Maybe that is what her new career is about.  Maybe it is not about the past.  Either way, success in the WNBA is not going to erase the stigma and disappointment of losing 5 coveted Olympic medals because of steroid use.

The study followed a group of bodybuilders who used anabolic steroids for a long period of time.  Though these bodybuilders were muscular and appeared to be physically fit, their kidneys looked the same or worse than people who are morbidly obese.

The fact that anabolic steroids can be dangerous is not new – but the connection to severe, potentially life threatening, kidney disease is new.  The study followed people who used steroids regularly for a period of 8 -20 years.  Medical researchers do not know if steroid use would have the same effect on the kidneys if the drugs are used for a shorter time but they are not ruling out the danger.

What we do know from the study that has been completed is that an athlete who “only” uses anabolic steroids for 4 years of high school sports and 4 years of college athletics is at risk for significant, perhaps fatal, kidney damage.  Therefore, it is important for student athletes, bodybuilders, and others to stop using steroids to enhance their performance.

Last week, at Calhoun High School in Georgia, a student was arrested after his car was searched and anabolic steroids and paraphernalia were found on school grounds.  The student’s school was notified, his parents had to get him out of police custody, and the Department of Child and Family Resources was notified. 

In other words, this student is in a whole lot of trouble.  The school may take significant disciplinary actions against the student for having drugs on campus and the state may prosecute the student for selling drugs.  Both of these actions could remain on the student’s permanent record and affect his ability to get into college or obtain employment in the future.  Likely the few bucks that he made from selling steroids were not worth the long term price he may pay.

The anti-steroids talk is particularly important if your child is an athlete.  It is important for you to explain to your child that:

• Steroids are dangerous drugs;
• Steroid use, without a doctor’s prescription, is illegal in the United States;
• The risks of steroids are not worth any potential benefits;
• Taking steroids is cheating;
• You are proud of their athletic achievements; and
• You are available to help them with their athletic training in any legal and safe way that you can.

Steroids can cause serious physical and emotional problems for users.  Do not let your teenager suffer unnecessarily.  Instead, teach your child that steroid use is illegal in the United States, unacceptable in your home, and dangerous for your child.

Some people do not recognize the potential serious side effects of steroids and decide to illegally use these drugs. You might suspect that your friend is taking steroids if:

• There is a dramatic change in his or her appearance.  They may appear stronger and better built without putting in long gym hours, for example;
• There is a dramatic change in athletic ability.  If your friend hit only a few home runs last year but is continuously hitting the ball out of the park this year then there is a potential problem; or
• There is a dramatic change in behavior.  If your friend is uncharacteristically irritable or aggressive then that may also be a sign of steroid use.

If you suspect that your friend is on steroids then it is important to get your friend help before your friend suffers a serious medical side effect from these illegal drugs.  You might decide to talk to your friend and try to impress upon him the seriousness of the situation.  If that doesn’t work then try going to a trusted third party such as a parent, guidance counselor, or doctor. You will sleep better at night knowing that you have potentially saved your friend’s life.

After winning the coveted championship, Juan Dixon set out to embark on a career in the NBA.  In the next few years he played for Washington, Portland, Toronto and Detroit.

In 2010, he was set to play for the Spanish basketball team, Unicaja, based in Malaga, Spain.  However, he will not be playing this season – or in the near future.  The International Basketball Federation has suspended him indefinitely and until further notice because he tested positive for the illegal steroid, nandrolone.

What caused the former college star to succumb to steroids? Was he frustrated with his NBA experience?  Did he think steroids could help him take back control of his career?

If he did, then he took a gamble and he lost.  Steroids are not worth the medical, nor the professional risks, associated with them and Mr. Dixon might have had a greater chance of success by excelling in the European league on his own merits.

Just ask Scott Cohen.  He spent $2 million of his own money to run in the primary race for Illinois Lieutenant Governor.  Earlier this month, the people of Illinois voted for him to become the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Then, the stories of his past began to surface.  There were stories of abuse and stories of unpaid child support.  There were also stories of steroid abuse.  Specifically, that Mr. Cohen injected anabolic steroids without a doctor’s prescription.

So, just 5 days after his victory in the primary, Mr. Cohen was faced with the difficult decision to end his race for Lieutenant Governor.  His past had finally caught up with him and the politicians, and people, of Illinois pressured him to withdraw from the race that he spent so much money, time and effort trying to win.

What happened to Scott Cohen is a good lesson for all of us.  You never know what job or public office you are going to want down the road or how your past steroid use will affect your chances of getting that job or holding that office.  Therefore, it is important to stay away from anabolic steroids, despite their prevalence and the ease with which you can obtain them.  They are dangerous to your health – and to your future.

This year those responsible for enforcing the no steroids rule are looking for new sophisticated ways in which athletes may try and cheat in order to win.  In past years, athletes have created “designer” steroids that escape testing – at least at first.

Every athlete spends years in intense training in preparation for the Winter Olympics.  Is taking steroids worth the risk?  Is it worth it to make the kind of sacrifices and participate in the dedicated training necessary to be an Olympian and then to have your medal win rendered worthless by steroids? 

This question is not unique to Olympians.  Every athlete – from middle school to the Olympics – should be asking themselves the same questions.  Despite the prevalence of steroids, steroids can ruin your health, your reputation and your future. 

This year, we hope that the Winter Olympians set a good example and show the world what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication – and without steroids.  Enjoy the Games!