There have been several attempts to educate students and young athletes about the harms that can be caused by steroids—both to their body and to their lives as a whole. This is because of the growing number of teens who are learning to take steroids to boost their competency in sports, One example of this is the program sponsored by Scottsdale Charros that gathered 5,000 students from five high schools in Scottsdale, which features Taylor Hooton Vice-President Steve Smith and former player of major-league baseball Kevin Young as guest speakers according to The Arizona Republic report.

Taylor Hooton Foundation was named after the 16-year-old son of Don Hooton, its founder. Taylor Hooton committed suicide after steroid abuse. Smith provided more information about steroids use among the young athletes while Young ended the program by addressing athletes, parents, and coaches at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas. The students were oriented about the threats of steroid abuse by answering the questions thrown by The Arizona Republic. The following are some of the very vital issues that were addressed to student-athletes about steroids:

Q: What is the most significant thing high school athletes should know about steroids?

Young: The issue is not steroids as much as it morals. The ability to identify right and wrong is our responsibility as both role models and adults. This gives our youths the knowledge needed.

Q: What do parents need to be aware of about the involvement of students to steroids use?

Hooton: How prevalent it is. Don’t assume that it’s not going on in your child’s school, athletic team, or social group. Anabolic steroids are popular among lean guys who aren’t playing sports but want to look bigger. The fastest-growing user group is young girls who are using them to lose belly fat and have a leaner body. We call them “mirror athletes.” These are people who have no desire to play on the field; they just want to look good. Don’t think that just because your child isn’t playing sports that steroids aren’t a concern.

Q: What can the parents do to help their kids avoid steroids abuse?

Hooton: Train yourself to know the physical changes that will tell you that your child is using steroids. Recognize when mood swings are more than just teenage tantrums. Understand the pressure our society is putting on kids to be competitive, to achieve and look attractive. Parents should also know about the various forms of steroids. They can be ingested as a pill, injected, or used as body oil that simply looks like moisturizer.

Meanwhile, Young ended the program by informing the parents as well as the students to learn the right sources to ask for help in developing their athletic skills. According to Young, people can always refer to different resources that educate proper work ethics like protegespotsinc.com. This company aims to provide both parents and young athletes the training methods that are undergone by the athletes in professional level, especially in agility and speed exercises including workouts to achieve their full potential.

Similarly, the connectkids.com also featured a program that has the same goal as the one sponsored by Scottsdale Charros, the Ripped Apart. This is a direct program that can be featured in coaching sessions, inside the class, and even at home. Ripped Apart shows the testimonies of several kids who were involved to steroid abuse because of the thought that they can get ahead by taking them. This includes statements from counselors, doctors, and families who have witnessed the terrible effects brought by steroids to users.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS