The following presents the issue of drug use in professional sports. Newspapers present commentary that drug use continues to be found in professional sports. Issues confronting these athletes range from the use of painkillers for sports injuries to the designing of personal steroids to defraud competitors. Research points out that the issues remain unclear and the problem prevails.
The Morning Edition (2003) presented a commentary regarding the continued use of drugs in professional sports. The example of THG (steroid) use was presented. THG is designed to be undetected in drug tests. The Food and Drug Administration designated THG as an illegal drug however it has been sold as a dietary supplement. Top athletes such as Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi (baseball players) were subpoenaed to testify regarding whether they were supplied THG. The use of this drug came to light due to a track coach who sent names of athletes using the drug and a syringe of THG to USADA ("Commentary," 2003). The New York Times presented an article by Lipstyte (1998), who stated that athletes support drug use, are against its regulation, and they fail to speak up regarding the matter. It is argued by some that Prozac and Viagra are taken by many individuals to enhance their performance, without apology and thus athletes should be aloud to do the same. Other athletes fear reprimand should they be caught for using drugs and therefore remain silent. Thus, with pro-drug attitudes and drugs being designed to be undetected, according to the news, it is presumed that drug use in professional sports remains.
More professional examination of the issue can be found in peer-reviewed journal articles. For example, research points out that there may be legitimate uses of drugs that result from the sports themselves. Green Bay Packer quarterback Brett Favre became addicted to hydrocodone bitartrate in 1995 and this led to the impression that painkiller...