Professional and Olympic athletes become role models to our youth, becoming larger than life stars. Many times, they want to emulate them and dream of the success they enjoy. All too often though, they see that their hero’s success may be aided by performance enhancing drugs. They don’t understand the effects of using these drugs:
- Liver Damage & Cancers
- High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease
- Blood Clots & Stroke
- Urinary and Bowel Problems
- Headaches, Aching Joints, and Muscle Cramps
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Sleep Disorders
- Increased Risk of Tendon & Ligament Injuries
- Severe Acne
- Baldness
When males, in particular, use steroids, their bodies start to produce less of their own testosterone, which leads to the following negative effects:
- Reduced Sperm count
- Impotence
- Enlarged Prostate
- Enlarged Nipples & Breasts
When females, in particular, use steroids, it acts as a male hormone, which causes the following negative effects:
- Increased Facial & Body Hair
- Deepened Voice
- Menstrual Problems
- Reduced Breast Size
In addition, performance enhancing drugs, like steroids, have a very negative effect on the integrity of athletes and the school athletic programs:
- Performance-enhancing drugs disguise an athletes natural abilities
- They are a substitute for dedication and focus
- Performance-enhancing drugs cheapen sports
- They create a false sense of accomplishment
- They deprive virtuous and superior athletes the victories that should be theirs
Contact Us, to learn more about The National Scholastic Anti Doping Program.
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