High School Athletes on Steroids?
Should all high school athletes be subject to mandatory drug tests?
Because they are ‘role models’ for the student body at large and should therefore be held to higher standards with respect to drugs and alcohol…
Because steroid use is potentially dangerous and something that must be lessened in all sports, including the high school level…
Because creatine use is considered ‘unethical’ in amateur sports by many people and users need to be ‘uncovered’…
Your thoughts are critical to me… Please leave them below:
– Brian
I will be brief.
Zero tolerance for drug users in any sport.
Creatine and steroids need to stop being lumped together. They do completely different things and creatine is completely safe if taken correctly. The only reason younger kids shouldn’t take it because of the idea of more is better which could lead to damage.
And while I do think they should test and it’s a shame to see kids using steroids and HGH there’s no way high schools would start testing. They are cutting money from teachers do you really think they will relocate money from teaching to drug testing?
First of all the who will pay for the testing? Extensive tests which can catch just about any type of performance enhancing drugs are very expensive so that alone may prohibit testing.
I think if you’re observant and you understand the physical growth process an athlete goes through as well as understand natural body types as a coach you have a good idea who is juicing. So I would say it’s more realistic to randomly test suspected drug users.
But as long as there’s the mind set that taking performance enhancers to win is o.k. we will never stop drug use entirely in sports. You honsetly believe Bolt suddenly developed such unbelievable speed from yams? But if you don’t get caught it’s all good.
Why is creatine considered unethical? It’s a naturally occuring substance readily available to any athlete. It’s a supplement like vitamins and minerals or protein. A well nourished athlete has an obvious competitive advantage. Some athletes can afford a nutritionist most can not so should nutritionists be banned?
you need to show trust .any money spent at this levle should be on facilities
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It protects everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No I dont think so, what will be next? The schools already have to much control over our kids. As a coach if you think there is something going on, you need to talk to the kid and the parents to see what is going on!!!
Creatine vs. Steroids and the ethical, physical, physiological and practical debate on the use or misuse of creatine is a completely separate topic and does not answer the question “Should all high school athletes be subject to mandatory drug tests?”
Creatine – Efficacy and safety aside…why would a young athlete take any supplement if they do not eat well to begin with? Back to the question at hand….
Zero tolerance…of course. All money into facilities…hmmm. How about educating coaches, trainers and teachers?
Mandatory drug testing would be a band aid for a much larger problem. Addressing drug use in H.S. athletes in this way is akin to the ridiculous policies being developed in the U.S. mandating BMI tracking in public schools to curb the “obesity problem”.
Young athletes are young, developing human beings who are subject to more pressure to be “great” than ever before. This is a societal issue. Too big to tackle? To difficult to make a difference?
If Brian Grasso felt the same way – the IYCA would never have been born. Thousands of trainers, coaches and teachers would not be exposed to the tools and resources they need to help change an entire industry. The members of the IYCA collectively reach hundreds of thousands of young lives and will continue to exponentially multiply. Community after community is being exposed to the information, people and ethos of the IYCA family.
Bigger, stronger and faster. The mantra of so many conditioning programs. This mind set is being introduced to younger and younger children. High school kids are being pushed harder. Excel at all costs. Why? To go pro? How many have a legitimate shot? If they do…at what cost.
Again, drug use in H.S. and whether or not there should be mandatory drug testing is part of a much larger issue/question.
How about mandating Physical Education DAILY in public schools?
We must be careful where we focus our efforts.
Dave
As a high school coach, i do not recall any athletes that i have come acrossed that even looked the slightest like they are using drugs, i have seen some opponents that are in trememdous shape, but i know from expiereince in strength training, what is natural and what is not!
I do not feel that we should have to administer drug testing in high school, it would be a waste of time and money.
Too little proof at this time to mandate any type of testing at the HS level.
No, I do not think all high school athletes should be subjected to drug testing but for different reasons than those stated in many of the other responses. I agree there should be zero tolerance. There should also be very clear direction as to what substances are not allowed and every high school athlete and coach should be made aware of that repeatedly. However, mandatory testing assumes that every athlete is breaking the rules and is incapable of making the right choices. In my opinion that goes against the lessons we are trying to teach these young athletes through their participation in sports. As a coach, one of my guiding principles is to teach my athletes to do the right things for the right reasons. I want them to refrain from using any potentially harmful substances (legal or illegal) because its in their best interest as an athlete to do so. Not because they might get caught. Teaching them to take care of their bodies is a lifelong lesson (hopefully). Teaching them to follow the rules so they don’t get caught will always leave open the possibility of finding a way around them. My philosophy with my athletes is that I always trust them until they give me a reason not to.
Drug testing at the high school level would be great but the expense would probably take away from scholostic and sports budgets which would make it not feasible to do. Unfortunately for now drugs whether they are recreational or sports enhancing are here to stay for awhile. Haiving a 12 and 7 year old I can only hope that the love of sports keeps them away from recreational drugs. Sports enhancing drugs hasn’t really occurred to me until now. Thanks for the new worry:-) Just kidding but it is a serious issue that will need to be watched as they are already playing sports at the premier level.
No, if a coach suspects drug usage he should discuss it with the student and the parent.
I am not in favor of blanket drug testing for high school athletes. The majority of credible studies have shown that a very small number of those tested turn up positive. I believe that we should only test those who are reasonably suspected of drug use, not everyone.
The answer is yes.
But it is an answer that raises a multitude of questions.
Who will administer the test?
Is this urine or blood testing?
Who will create the banned substance list and what will include?
What about masking techniques?
If Athletes are sophisticated enough to use, they will certainly attempt to mask usage.
It seems we are talking about PEDs but what happens when unsafe levels of “street” and prescription drugs are found in the system?
What about female athletes? If pregnancy or birth control usage is identified? What happens?
Will parents be notified? Will counseling be provided?
Will there be a State/Local Standard or a National/International standard for testing?
What if State/City X have testing, but Sate/City Y do not?
Will this unfairly “mark” athletes from one or the other location?
Will it create a wave of athletes moving to and from a testing school to non-testing school, based on test results and principles on privacy?
Do athletes in Olympic Sports have different testing standards than “Big 3” sport athletes?
Are Club/ Intramural teams included in the definition of athlete?
What about the teenage bodybuilder who seems to be making rapid huge gains, Will he be tested?
What do you do with the information? Is it kept private? Is the Athlete marked for life?
What are the consequences? Positive test. Now what?
Yes we should test.
It sad to say, but it is the world we live in, but it will take work to develop an effective system that does more than give a false sense of security and safety.
Yes, in theory, but who pays for it. I played college football and our testing was always a threat of a test with serious consequences for a positive test both by our team and the NCAA. I would design a program of weekly random urine tests for performance enhancement drugs that are potentially harmful to the youth. The threat of the test and a clear posted list of consequences would hopefully deter the use of these substances. Not an easy or cheap issue as if you apply this to one sport ALL should be tested boys and girls.
Is steroid use at the high school level really a huge problem! I know at our school growing up we had a team contract that we signed that said we would refrain from taking drugs and alcohol during the season and if it was discovered that we were than we would be kicked off the team. I think the kids hold themselves accountable as well. I think the leaders on the team are chosen to be in that position because of the high class athletes they are on and off the field. These are the team leaders who look out for the rest of the team and make sure the team is following the policies laid out by the school and the coaches. The biggest problem our team faced was keeping kids from partying, not taking steroids.
I think it will be pretty easy to spot if a kid is taking steroids or not and if he/she doesn’t admit to the fact then I would say a drug test could be a good idea after sitting down with the student and their parents. However, with all the tests that come out there is someone that will make a drug that fool the tests.
I BELEIVE THEY SHOULD BE TESTED. STEROIDS IS EVERY WHERE THESE DAYS AND EVERYONE WANTS TO USE THEM TO KEEP THEM ONE STEP AHEAD OF COMPETITION. BUT YOU CANT PUT THE BLAME ON JUST THE ATHLETES. ALOT OF COACHES PUT THE ATHLETE IN POSITIONS WHERE THEY FELL THEY NEED TO BECOME STRONGER, FASTER AND BIGGER. HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ARENT JUST HAVING “FUN” ANYMORE. ITS BECOME TOO COMPETITIVE. THE ATHLETES ARE PUT IN A POSITON WHERE THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO BE THE BEST REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT TAKES. OF COURSE, WE ALL WANT TO BE WINNERS BUT AT WHAT COST ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE TO BE AT THE TOP? KEEP YOUR ATHELETES IN CHECK!!
As the parent of a two high school athlete’s and now one is a Division I football athlete I will have to say no. I believe that the primary responsibility of safeguarding any child lay with their parent/guardian. The only reason I could see that we would want to test these children is to safe guard them from the harmful practice of using drugs of any kind. Instead of testing children I think we should provide workshop for parents to understand the signs and symptoms of behavior patterns. Educate the parents and the children on the extremely harmful effects these drugs can have on the children.
But to treat high school children like collegiate, Olympic or professional athletes is unacceptable. I personally believe we have put too emphasis high school sports and too much pressure on the children. I understand the scholarship value but in the end the purpose for sending our kids to school of any kind is education and I think we have promoted a message that has confused our children and prompts them to consider steroids or any of the supplements.
I’ll make this short and sweet….YES! Steroids has NO PLACE in high school athletics…PERIOD! It really has no place in anyone’s life with the excepting of people who need it for medical reasons under a doctors supervision. I know some will take offense to being tested. But if you have nothing to hide, you really shouldn’t care. You simply explain to them that it’s not targeted towards anyone and it’s for everyone’s own good. Every parent should be on board with this. If they’re not…then there’s a possibility that their son or daughter is taking steroids.
To have a system like this in place would require a lot of thought process and planning with a lot to consider…but it’s well worth the work. Sorry…I thought it was going to be short. this subject gets under my skin!
Test all high school athletes. The results will be more startling than anyone will expect.
As a former (over 30 years ago) high school and collegiate athlete I used and abused several illegal performance enhancing substances. Back then, we didn’t have creatine that I know of, but we did have anabolics, testosterone, HCG, HGH, etc. During my years of competition, I never gave the future effects a bit of thought, it was always about today and how strong or fast you could get. Today I regret doing ALL the drugs. I see high school athletes every day that are using. Testing is not the answer, it is an answer but it will not stop what’s going on. Testing WILL make someone or some company a lot of money, but its not going to stop our kids from juicing or doping. Education is the only way to get kids away from this junk. When a professional athlete is caught cheating, and he or she goes unpunished it sends the wrong message. Kids look up to these idols and they want to make it to the next level. Kids don’t understand or care about the future implications of taking that little white pill or that injection. It’s a pharmaceutical, right? Its not made in some crack kitchen or laced with PCP? It’s a performance-enhancing drug, right? At least that’s what they think. Some of these substances ARE formulated in kitchens and basements. Rather than spend money on testing, if we had money for testing, it would be better spent on a complete course to educate kids on the long-term effect of these drugs on the body, mind and education. Make every high school student athlete take (and pass) the course, or you don’t play. Random testing at the college level is the best requirement. When the NCAA catches an athlete, it should be automatic expulsion from the sport and school for the athlete, and some form of punishment for the team/school.
I don’t see any reason why not? However, it should be only for illegal substance abuse. To my knowledge creatine is not an illegal substance for high school athletes.
Should high school athletes be subject to drug testing? Absolutely. JUST as the student body is held culpable for illicit drugs in school, alcohol use, tobacco use.. athletes should be subject, or should they? Should a kid who has run since he was baby be jabbed with a needle because the football players are using steroids in an effort to emulate their heroes? I have an idea.. Lets do I.Q. tests on the adults that push their kids in an effort to live vicariously through them… Lets have the coaches go through mandatory certifications and C.E.C.’s like personal trainers. Let’s make it mandatory that abusive personnel are dealt with a zero tolerance. Let’s stop rewarding kids with money for achieving in sport, and start uping the rewards for superior education and community involvement. My thoughts
It seems to me that the effects of using PEDs in high school is going to be overtly evident(unnatural size,strength,performance, and other more relative physiological expressions etc. for the age and experience of these young athletes)that testing should be accomplished on a targeted basis rather than having to test every high school athlete. I think that every high school athlete should have to sign a letter of commitment that among other things, states that they will not use PEDs and if at anytime there is a concern supported by relative factors that indicate the possible use of PEDs by a particular student athlete than by signing this letter of commitment the student athlete agrees upfront to submit to a random drug test if requested.
Yes, they should be tested because they are looked up to by younger students and risking restrictions or slowing down their performance for their own personal gain or pleasure is not fair to the rest of the team.
Of course drug use is a problem facing today’s young atheletes, not only performance enhancers but the many recreational types aswell. I don’t believe that drug testing will prevent them from using. They will get cought, then the athletic dept can wash their hands of it and send them away. Does that help the young person? No, infact he/she may look at doing these drugs even more and work out in the weight room trying to prove that he/she can handle it, and have that chip on their shoulder that “the man” is just keeping him/her down.
So what do we do? The use of performance enhancers range from deadly steroids to protien powders. We as community members, the faculty at the school, and parents all need to be more involved with our youth. Educating the use of some recovery products that are infact beneficial and have no known side effects and keep informing the atheletes about what the steroids can do to your body (negatively of course). Parents, coaches, and teachers all need to be aware of the students behaviors, physical changes, and social interaction; the users will stand out if we know what to look for. Then the step that we all fail at is the intervention and the help he/she required from us earlier in life to build self-esteem and confidence in themselves.
I could go on and on, sorry about the length. My opinion is testing will not stop the problem only send troubled youth away from our help. Get involved with your school district and volunteer you will see the kids are just trying to survive based on their own ideas not any help from adults. We have failed our youth.
I’m for drug testing the players, the coaches, the cheerleaders, the band, the pep club, the Principal, his/her secretary, the SRO’s, the bus driver, the team physician, the sports reporter, his/her editor, and everyone else involved. But if there was one group that should have mandatory drug testing it would be the parents. Why should we expect more from the sixteen year old quarterback than we do those who surround him.
Yes. Not because they are held to ahigher standard, but because athletics are a privilege and therefore not something that players who want to cheat the system should be allowed to participate in.
In varsity sports where athletes are competing for Conference and State titles not to mention looks from coaches at the collegiate level, we can not turn a blind eye and think some of these kids will not attempt every possible measure to gain a competitive advantage.
As for the folly of “Oh, Creatine is natural, it is a vitamin…yada yada yada”…how do you know the athlete will dose themselves properly? As a coach or a trainer, are you going to be the one to give nutritional advice on a banned substance? I certainly hope not.
One sport athletes, no off season….we need to take the exit ramp out of Fantasy-Land thinking that all High School athletes are playing for “love of game” and realize that many of our “better” varsity athletes are taking the field as a stepping stone to the next level.
That being the case, they are going to be tested in the NCAA, why not properly prepare them while maintaining a level of integrity in sport?
As for paying for testing, the money is there but unfortunately it is going to useless layers of bureaucrat salaries and benefits. The money is there if you truly want it.
In our sport of BMX Racing we have High School Students that are actually Elite Level athletes and compete in UCI events were drug testing is mandatory. With traditional High School Sports the whole “Bigger Faster Stronger” is always the push, without the proper guidance in place to understand the dynamic of Youth Conditioning as a whole. Mentally abusive coaching on and off of the field can lead to drug use in High School athletes as well. “If you don’t get it together you wont EVER start!!” Then the parents reinforce that attitude even in the home. With 17 years of military experience I have seen my share of Leadership Styles. From shock and awe! to no control over a group. Reading the definition of Leadership the phase be a complete (A-Hole) is nowhere to be found. Its our job to Lead By Example in our role as youth coaches, specialists, trainers etc. I believe there is a need to drug test but it has to be fair it cant just be one sport specific. Also to mitigate the cost factor the parents should be required to pay a portion of the cost for the test as included in the initial cost to participate in the sport.
Cameron Davis
XTRAV SPORTS
Last year Texas spent $2 mil testing 50,000 high school athletes for Steroids. There were only 20 tested positive tests. Yet according to Marin Institute “every day, on average, 11,318 American youth try alcohol for the first time, compared with 6,488 for marijuana; 2,786 for cocaine; and 386 for heroin. Alcohol is by far the most used and abused drug among America’s teenagers. According to a national survey, nearly one third (31.5%) of all high school students reported hazardous drinking (5+ drinks in one setting) during the 30 days preceding the survey.”
So for me i’d rather see the 2 million going towards what is really being abused.
It is sad state when this question has to be asked.
Regardless if there is drug testing or not high school students that take illegal performance enhancing drugs will find a way to aoid being caught.
Next is there way money shouldbe spent. I beleive there are better places to put our money -facilites and programs of inclusion not exclusion.
Does this also mean we have find out if they are drinking alcohol, smoking pot and cigarettes?
I wish that it did not come to this but I believe that every athlete high school and above should be tested for drugs. So many feel that they can take it once and stop or stop when they feel like it. Athletes also feel like they will not get caught. Unfortunately I say yes.
Personally, I don’t think so! I believe that the coach and most importantly, the parent should hold the responsibility of insuring that their athlete and child is not taking illegal drugs or substances. As a coach, parent and trainer I feel that athlete’s should not be put under any different scrutiny than others their age.
Sports are a personal choice and most often take a lot of preparation, time and commitment which deserves it’s own level of respect in itself. If the bar has been set too high, who is really at fault? Who initiates or instills the “win at all costs” mentality? I personally know, as many of you know also, that with proper nutrition, resistance/strength training, intense but safe conditioning programs and solid foundational coaching much can be achieved.
Freestyle/Greco Roman Wrestling is the only sport that I can think of, untainted by Steroids & Drugs. I’m sure someone can dig deep enough to prove me wrong on my comment however thats neither here nor there, my point is almost every sport has received a black-eye when it comes to this subject. You name it, it has been some type of media coverage in regards to steroids or drugs when it comes to American sports. The funny thing is these substances show no bias, they transcend over all sports. I feel the correlation or link to drugs in sports is the competitiveness of the sport. Growing up that has always been the focus, to be the best or to win, what ever it takes mentality. “At what cost” is a key question? Cheating has become a big part of our subculture, it has been so bad that the government is begun to play Big Brother on the wide world of sports.
I bet you are wondering where am I going with this. Yes, I do believe every high school athlete should be subjected to mandatory drug testing.
Why? Because we need to fix the problem at the grassroots level. Kids are watching these famous athletes getting slapped on the wrist for involvement in performance enhancing drugs. In a child’s mind set, if they see a professional athletes do it, Why cant I? is the question they ask. Having a testing system implemented in the high schools would allow us to reinforce that performance enhancing drugs, have not place in competitive sports. If this system is done correctly we would bring purity back to the game.
It seems as though when you think of top performers in professional sports your mind automatically goes to “I wonder if they have cheated, I wonder if that is all natural ability, I wonder if they will have an asterisk by there name.” I don’t feel like this should be the case. I think you should be able to watch a sport and appreciate it for what it is, without all the wondering. Just think if an athlete received a life time ban from the sport if caught using performance enhancing drugs. This would send a powerful message to our youth. I guarantee they would think twice about using something illegal. To clean up out sports, a collaborative effort from both ends of the spectrum will be needed. Meaning from youth leagues all the way to the pro’s. If everyone along the pecking order gets on board this problem would not exist.
I think testing at the high school level would be a great step in the right direction. Kids need to have respect for the sports they play.
If our athletes of tomorrow can be taught 3 things:
1. There is no substitution for hard work
2. Out work the next man/women in order to be better than him/her
3. Performance enhancing drugs are only temporary, a true athlete can be the best and leave a legacy without any doubt…
Zero tolerance, Drug testing should exist at the HS level
YES – but not just for the athletes; if you’re going to drug test it needs to be across the entire student body and all randomly and look for both sports enhancing and recreational drugs. I’ve known several high school athletes who were pot smokers or wanted to fit in with a crowd and take acid or ecstasy. Let’s not forget these kids are still kids, whether they’re playing high school sports or not. It is an extra expnse, but maybe one the schools shouldn’t have to burden, but as covered benefit within the insurance plan covering the kids (assuming they have insurance, of course.) High school athletes need physicals in order to participate and compete in many places, why not add the drug test there? Just some thoughts.
Random test is a threat that should be put out there but,as someone has already said timing,cost’s and getting out there and focusing on those that are obviously using,based on results and the signs that most of us can identify,whatever the case testing of highschool / college students needs to looked at seriously.
No. And for a multitude of reasons:
1. Who will administer the tests? What kind of tests? When will they be conducted? Which sports: varsity and intramural as well?
2. These are still kids, not adults. They do not need to be burdened with additional adult rules and regs.
3. It would be best to provide funding for coaches to learn the signs of drug use and for them to be attend anti-drug seminars so they are better educated and can communicate effectively with the student-athletes.
No, despite the fact that there is drug use, be it recreational or performance enhancing, drug testing is not the answer.
Personally, i think it is way overdue. It is a shame but it is too much pressure put on young athletes today to perform and to earn scholarships. Some of them feel they have to take shortcuts. It is definately a problem that needs to be addressed.
No, it assumes the worst and that’s not the case.
Drug testing will not do anything to fix steroid abuse. I can’t think of a better way to make teenagers listen to adults even less than to force drug testing on them. When kids grow up facing detention, grades, pressure from coaches, peers and parents, trust is everything at the high school level as John Moon expressed above. Regardless of what we think should be the case teenagers rebel for a reason. Teenagers naturally experiment with the power of choice. If you push they will pull and if you pull they will push because they want nothing to do with another symbol of authority in their life. “Zero tolerance” is a great banner to get behind but all it does is push the problem deeper underground. Drug abuse is a symptom not a cause. You have to address the cause of a problem not the symptom. When the symptom becomes the focus teenagers feel suspected and all that will happen is steroid users AND all the non-steroid using teenagers will trust adults even less. You cannot systematize caring!
I agree that there should be a drug testing program for athletes, however, the notion that this testing should be mandatory and not random (which is the international standard), is highly debatable.
1. High school athletes are minors and this cannot be forgotten. They are at a fragile stage of their development both physically and mentally.
2. Mandatory testing, to be cost effective will tend to be scheduled – the cheaters would learn this schedule and get around it. In addition, mandatory testing maybe interpreted as “targeting” some people. This should be avoided. A young athlete with a drug problem must be helped and not “targeted”.
3. The concept that high school athletes are “role” models is flawed. They are children. This has to be controlled.
In summary, a random drug testing program maybe best. Children must be treated as such and not as “stars”.
Yes, high school athletes should be tested for drugs its cheating, it hurts the body, and costly
Wow some of these answers amaze me, so I’m glad you asked this question. My answer is no way! How about we test non athletes for obesity and not punish the kids that are in good shape and being inspirational to other students.
simple answer yes. I think random testing would be a good idea. However if parents, caoches and trainers could get rid of the win/be your best at all cost mentality we may see the number of kids trying performance drugs go down. I know we are talking athletes but I feel certain that you would find drug use of some kind in just about any high school in the U.S.
Very interesting to read all of the comments hear. Great discussion and an obviously important debate.
It does surprise me to realize how many people are in favor of blanket testing with worry over costs and logistics. Much talk of the very real pressure put on young athletes to succeed.
However there is no discussion on ways to relieve some of that pressure. NO debate on how to educate and inspire more coaches, trainers and teachers. Punishing the many because of poor decisions of the few is not the tact that should be taken nor the lesson that should be taught.
I’m in agreement with Mr. Gleason. I think this whole issue is being approached from the wrong angle. Whether we like it or not, the steroid era is upon us at every level–and we are being reactive instead of proactive. My feeling is that, until they start truly punishing athletes at the elite levels for steroid use, we won’t have much success in keeping them out of our high schools and colleges–there’s too much fame and fortune involved. The penalties aren’t severe enough to detract young athletes from taking the risk. Simply put, until adults set the example, how can we expect that our youth will not follow suit?
Mr. Dubois is on point.
Too many athletes feel comfortable taking the risks not just for the rewards, but ignoring premature death and long term health issues, they see no downside.
In many sports there are Zero consequences for taking PEDs (health issues aside).
For risk takers, we essentially have a permissive PEDs environment from top to bottom.
We need to make them uncomfortable.
Adults can begin setting the example by leading an effort to cut off the path to “Fame and Fortune” from the college level on down for those who cheat.
This will increase the number athletes doing it honestly and permit the many people who support the right things in sports, like Mr. Dubois, to have a larger, more influential voice.
Education, awareness and yes, testing will all be part of changing the current culture.
I dont think kids are to be blamed for taking performance enhancing drugs. Kids will not be taking steriods, creatine, and other performance enhancing drugs, if society, coaches, and others , do not put so much emphasize on performance. We are guilty of putting too much pressures on these kids to excel in their performance without taking into considerations how much ability and potentials they have and how we can assist them in realizing their full potentials, not only as athletes but as humans also. I wonder how much time and efforts Coaches spend on educating their athletes about the dangers of drug use? I think if we spend more time on developing the total person and less time on encouraging performance, we can minimize the use of drugs among HS athletes .