Drug Problems in Professional Sports

Anabolic steroids are quickly becoming a major, world-wide social problem. The problem focuses on the world of sports, but is not limited to that area of society. Examples are rife in the abuse of steroids. A Florida newspaper reported the tragic effects of a teenage boy who wanted to become "more muscular" and bought steroids from a local pharmacy--later to find that the abuse of the drug caused impotency. other reports show people injecting solutions meant to build up show horses, presumably to help them place higher in bodybuilding competitions. A more typical example of steroid abuse is centered in health clubs around the nation, where fitness instructors sell pills to clients who aren't getting "results fast enough."

It is estimated that as of 1988 over one million Americans were taking the risk of using anabolic steroids. Some forge prescriptions or buy the drugs on the black market. The majority, however, order them by mail or from dealers who con

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on 40). Use is not limited to the NFL, however, and use has been reported in college athletics, and even high-school and junior-high activities. The use of anabolic steroids in sports is supported by some athletes who argue that the drugs are effective in improving athletic performance. They also believe that the negative effects are minimal and an acceptable risk to them since they should have the right to control their own bodies (Strauss 65). Opponents counter this by arguing that performance enhancing aids are contrary to the whole purpose of the sport, that the drugs have proven adverse effects on health, and especially that the use of the drugs by some competitors forces others to use them as well, or find themselves unable to compete professionally (65). Those supporting the use of steroids in sports point to studies which tend to support that steroids do improve sports performance. Most of the studies report various increases of muscle strength and tissue growth. They also show that the use of anabolic steroids contributes to more rapid weight gain, but also to increase limb girth and lean body mass. More importantly, a majority of studies showed increased strength performance and a greater capacity for oxygen in
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3165
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page)

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