The Short Term and Long Term Effects of Performance-Enhancing Drugs on Health and Eligibility to Participate in Sports

These guns don’t run on roids.

Quiz: Take the Test Your Knowledge Quiz Link is also on my fusion page http://teens.drugabuse.gov/activities/test-your-knowledge

The American Tragedy: Performance Enhancing Drugs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_0PSZ59Aws&safe=active

Which group is the largest growing steroid using population?

Why might a teen consider using a drug like steroids?

Steroid Facts High school students and young adults are highest risk of steroid abuse. Males and females use steroids. 1/3 non-athletes Users wish to increase their muscle mass and boost their body appearance. Steroids are chemically related to the male hormone, testosterone. They are illegally used to boost muscle size and strength and to raise tolerance to pain.

Steroid Facts Can be obtained by legal prescription, but they are sold on the black market. Damage the liver, heart and raise blood pressure to dangerously high levels. Enlarge hands and feet. Very dangerous for teens who are still developing. Cause growth plates in the long bones of the body to close prematurely resulting in stunted growth.

Effects of Steroid Use High blood pressure Heart disease Liver tumors Mental changes such as mood swings, anxiety, panic and sleeplessness. More aggressive “roid rage” Individuals who inject drugs are at risk for contracting HIV, Hepatitis B/C or other blood borne illnesses.

Brainstorm: What motivates young people to use steroids Brainstorm: What motivates young people to use steroids? Activity: Venn Diagram Risks of steroids: Does the risk apply to males, females or both?

Male and Female Consequences of Using Steroids Given these risks, why do you think that young people are still taking steroids? What do they hope to gain? What are the ethical issues surrounding the use of steroids in the athletic arena? What does it mean to you as a high school student that teenagers are the leading population for abuse? What can you do about it? How do you perceive steroid use, after seeing many athletes succeed with anabolic steroids (ex: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jose Canseco) Were you aware that Arnold Schwarzenegger was appointed by President Bush Sr. to the Council on Physical Fitness and Sports? What message could that send to young people? Do you think athletes should be tested for steroids? How often? Which athletes? What should be the consequences for those who test positive?

Homework/Classwork Read the story “The Pill of Success”. Create a written response to the questions for consideration, and create an ending for the story and explain what happened to Freddie and his friends. Describe how you would have felt if you were Freddie’s classmates and had studied hard and not taken any pill for help. How does this compare to taking steroids?