Sep 28 2010
Oakland Raiders Teach Young Athletes The Dangers of Anabolic Steroids
Football players should not only be tagged as steroid users. They are also against the illegal use of the drug. In an effort to build their image as anti-steroid crusaders, most NFL teams are conducting outreach programs educating the youth about the dangers of taking anabolic steroids. The Oakland Raiders recently hosted an event with participants from high schools in the East Bay. The day long activity was held in the Raider’s headquarters in Alameda.
There were at least 100 high school student-athletes from four Oakland high schools who attended the anti-steroid training session. Students from Mandela High, Davis senior High, Skyline High, and Media College Prep attended the training session which lasted for 5 hours.
The objective of the event is to enhance the awareness of the young athletes on the consequences of taking performance enhancing drugs. The discussion did not only focus on the side effects of anabolic steroids but they also tackled how these students can improve their skills without taking any drugs. The coaches told them that they can be better athletes by using proper training techniques. Raider’s strength and conditioning Coach Brad Roll and linebacker Sam Williams were present during the vent.
The training seminar is the second time for the team. This outreach activity is in connection with the program initiated by Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and other NFL teams. The ATLAS (Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids) and ATHENA (Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives) have been well received by school officials and other anti-steroid crusaders. These programs are focused on proper training and nutrition instead of depending on performance enhancing substances.
Since most young athletes idolizes these players in the professional leagues, their anti-steroid stance would help students avoid taking anabolic steroids and human growth hormone which is also becoming popular in pro sports.
Meanwhile, another program that is initiated by the students of University of Southern Nevada is getting positive feedback from the community. The Operation Medicine Cabinet had already collected more than 380,000 prescription pills. The objective of the program is to prevent the adolescents from taking unused prescription drugs from family members. Associate Prof. Paul Oesterman of the university told the media that they want to remove the temptation from these young teens.
According to reports, adolescents aging from 12 to 17 are more prone to taking prescription medicines and abusing these drugs. A 2009 study of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that 1 in 5 high schools students said they had taken prescription drugs without a prescription. For 12 graders the rate is much higher said in the study. Authorities are alarmed because prescription drugs are freely available at home. They can just take it from the medicine cabinet.
With this program, health experts and police officers are hoping that the abuse of prescription medicines will decline in the area.
