Opinion piece -- Nix the Ban on Sports Drugs

[kmax]

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0, ... 86,00.html

With all of the performance enhancing scandals of late in MLB and with Lance Armstrong I found this article really interesting. I don't really agree with his thoughts that we should do away with the bans, but he presents some thought provoking points. Namely his point about how much technology has changed sports, why has the line been drawn at pharmaceutical technology?

[gtapp]

Interesting Article! Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED) are becoming more common, more popular and more affordable every month. The science is growing exponentially. You can see similarities with the progression of illegal drugs such as marijuana. Having been around and studied PED for years I have come to the conclusion that we should just give up and not worry about the effects. If someone(even a teenager) wants to put something in his/her body so what? Let them! It is their body.

One mis-conception: PED's (even Steroids) enable an athelete to recover faster and get the most out of his or her training. You don't get faster or stronger just by "shooting up". You have to train hard and you have to become an expert in the science. Steroids can give you faster results and better results for those who don't work hard. However, hard work without PED can get you to the same point. I have gone from 160 lbs to 225 lbs without the help of Steroids. Would I take steroids if they were more affordable? YES! Can I accomplish my goals without them? YES!

[Bleedinbluengold]

Good idea. And then in 10 or 20 years we can be spending billions on treating the medical disabilities of PED users, just like we do for smokers and alcoholics. On the other hand, how much are we spending in order to combat PED obusers? Maybe there is no difference. My opinion? We need WADA, and we need them to be succeed.

On a related note. Did you hear about the two professional cyclists who had their suspensions overturned? Originally, they had tested positive for EPO. It was discovered that their body naturally produced EPO at sufficient levels to result in a positive drug test.

I've saved this article for my kids to read...at some point.

http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywor ... est_1.html

[Sportin' Life]

Suppose your son had a ton of natural baseball talent and had dreams of playing in the big leagues. He's a good kid that wants nothing more than a fair shot at his dream. How would you feel about a scout telling him that he could get him signed if he bulked up a bit, and here's a syringe and some 'help' for bulking up.

The problem isn't people who choose to dope...the problem is that if they do dope, then everyone else has to dope in order to be competitive. This isn't regular cheating like scuffing balls, or corking bats. This type of cheating could have serious life or death circumstances for ones self and others.

[gtapp]

Suppose your son had a ton of natural baseball talent and had dreams of playing in the big leagues. He's a good kid that wants nothing more than a fair shot at his dream. How would you feel about a scout telling him that he could get him signed if he bulked up a bit, and here's a syringe and some 'help' for bulking up.

The problem isn't people who choose to dope...the problem is that if they do dope, then everyone else has to dope in order to be competitive. This isn't regular cheating like scuffing balls, or corking bats. This type of cheating could have serious life or death circumstances for ones self and others.

This argumanet is true of all drugs or supplements. PED including steroids will always be out there. They are not going away, in fact, just the opposite. As parents, students, administrators, etc. we have to educate everyone on the risks associated. Your argument has little to do with steroids are everything to do with education and making informed and smart choices.

As I said before; steroids are the fast and lazy way to bulk-up. If your son was told to "bulk-up" then he should hit the weight room.