A steroid tragedy involving their 19-year old son who committed suicide four years ago led Frank and Brenda Marrero of Vacaville to launch a nationwide campaign against the use and dangers of steroids. Last week, they presented a no-cost prevention program to Vacaville trustees for implementation in the Vacaville district’s two high schools.

Some four years ago, Efrain Marrero, Frank and Brenda Marrero’s son, was 19 years old when he admitted to his parents that he had been using steroids. The couple immediately sought professional medical advice to help their son overcome the effects of steroids. The physician advised and assured them that the steroid substances would naturally pass through their son’s system and that there was no further action necessary. Three weeks later, Efrain took his own life. The Marreros are certain that Effrain suffered from deep depression caused by the sudden withdrawal from steroids, and which eventually led to his suicide.

From this tragic event and in remembrance of their son, the Marreros formed the Efrain Anthony Marrero Foundation, and since then, have traveled throughout the country educating people about the dangers of steroid abuse and sharing their tragedy to students, coaches, teachers, and members of Congress.

Recently, the Foundation have teamed up with the National Football League (NFL)’s ATLAS and ATHENA programs, as well as the Oakland Raiders to provide a program for drug prevention and evidence-based health promotion to Vacaville and Will C. Wood high school athletes for a whole year.

Frank Marrero explains that from personal experience, the kind of information that they now have access to and wish to share with other people were not readily available at the time when they went through the ordeal with their son. The program they hope to implement will teach students the proper ways to handle nutrition and work out. Frank added that had their son had these options, he would still be with them today.

The Oakland Raiders has pledged $30,000 for each of the Vacaville high schools to implement the program for the school year 2009-2010. The program promotes strength training and healthy sports nutrition as alternatives to the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, steroids, and other banned performance-enhancers. The program is also designed to be peer-led and is targeted to both male and female athletes.

Over the last four years since his son died, Frank Marrero estimates that he has addressed more than 20,000 students and coaches. Bringing this kind of program to local schools is the culmination of all the years of hard work that the foundation has toiled with. Frank says that they have been so focused on education in the past and this time, they are able to broaden their mission and directly show students how they can do things the right way.

Last week, the trustees listened to the Marreros’ proposal and watched a short videop presentation that highlighted the program’s benefits. Superintendent John Aycock said that he looked forward to the implementation and success of the program, although the trustees were not taking any action to approve the program at the time.

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