Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 Source: Bakersfield Californian (CA) Copyright: 2001, The Bakersfield Californian Contact: http://www.bakersfield.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/36 IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK The illegal use of muscle-building anabolic steroids has raised its ugly head in Bakersfield. It is disconcerting to read news stories that three Bakersfield police officers admitted to investigators they used the strength-enhancing drug. Possible use of steroids has been raised as a potential factor in the arrest of a Bakersfield 15-year-old accused of killing his mother. A vial of the suspected drug was found in the suspect's bedroom. The teen told investigators he has used steroids -- but not in the last month -- to bulk up to earn him a place on Centennial High School's football team. And some parents told The Californian they believe the use of steroids among high school students is rampant. Alarm bells should be going off in the offices of coaches, school administrators, cop shops and the homes of parents and guardians of teen-agers. Every effort must be made to destroy the steroid culture in schools and workplaces -- especially ones where strength is needed to enhance the job. The Internet provides evidence that illegal use of steroids is widespread nationwide. Sadly, steroids not only can be ordered via the Internet, but there are chat rooms detailing how to use the drug. Steroids, used to build muscle mass, can make some people feel more aggressive, energetic or depressed. Side effects for people who use them vary, but they can include paranoia. The National Institutes of Health lists homicidal rage, mania and delusions among the psychiatric effects of steroid use. That potential in persons sworn to enforce the law is a time bomb for disaster. It's a tragedy in the making for gifted, young athletes. Medical experts also fear the long-term effects of steroid use can be severe. It has been linked to illnesses ranging from fatal cases of cancer to destruction of internal organs. Peer pressure can be deadly. An officer can fear being shown up by his or her comrades. Athletes see team members juicing up on steroids and figure they should indulge in the illegal activity to become a starter or a star. Such misguided adults and teens are not getting the message about the dangers inherent in steroid use. These drugs are not worth the risk. Student athletes in the Kern High School District who are caught with steroids for the first time become ineligible for participation in sports for 18 weeks. The second violation brings a yearlong ineligibility and a permanent ban from school sports if caught a third time. Kern High School District officials say drug testing is not done regularly due to the fuzzy constitutional standing of conducting the tests. And attempting to establish a random drug-testing program for just its athletes -- those most likely to be tempted to use steroids -- would be fraught with legal problems, according to Pete Carton, general counsel for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Constitutional problems also don't allow random testing of officers. That means to alleviate the problem at the high school level, administrators must have coaches step up the monitoring of their athletes, checking any telltale signs of drug use, such as mood swings. Let's not forget the important role of parents. They also must closely monitor their children and along with coaches deliver strong and regular lectures on the harm steroids and other drugs cause. On the adult level, supervisors should do the same and make sure that trouble awaits anyone who is tempted to use the deadly elixir of instant strength. It is for the good of not only the individual but all of society. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth