Alberto Fernandez

Proposal Paper

INTRODUCTION

Read any sports page, open any sports magazine, “hit up” ESPN.com and you’re almost guaranteed to find at least one article containing the word steroid. A search of the word steroid on Google yields 38,500,000 matches, while searching the words “NCAA Final Four” only turns up 1,960,000 hits. Today steroid scandals are as prominent in professional athletics as “We Are!” chants are here at Penn State. The athletes of yesteryear pale in comparison to the bulky, meathead superstars that roam our fields today. The internet is full of pictures comparing the small, sapling bodies of Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire at the beginning of their careers to the new and improved, bulging bodies they boast today. “The Congressional hearings on March 17th, 2005 about the reports of anabolic steroid abuse by professional athletes, many of whom are regarded as role models by young people, highlight the fact that we are now facing a very damaging message that is becoming pervasive in our society - that bigger is better, and being the best is more important than how you get there.” (NIDA) The bottom line is that the use of illegal and dangerous performance enhancing substances, particularly steroids, has been a growing problem in this country for years and it’s time for the problem to be met with force at the upper levels.

THE FACTS

When people bring up steroids they are usually referring specifically to anabolic steroids, also known as androgenic steroids. These steroids are synthesized versions of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. These drugs are often used in small doses to treat the body wasting that is associated with the depletion of the immune system in patients severely affected by HIV infections and the AIDS virus. However the doses prescribed by doctors to AIDS patients pale in comparison to the doses taken by those who abuse steroids. These drugs can be taken orally, through an injection or transdermally (rubbed into the skin).

The gains that are possible through the use of anabolic steroids are undeniable. If used properly in accordance with a balanced diet, weight and cardiovascular training athletes can see tremendous results in size, strength, speed, and stamina improvement. While steroids may be able to increase athletic performance, they come with a hefty price tag, and that price is not measured in dollars. The full extent of the side effects of long term steroid use is unknown because the studies simply have not been done, but we do know quite a bit about the negative affects steroids can have. First in males (the most predominant users) the users will see early balding, shrinking of the testicles, enlargement of the breasts, infertility, reduced sperm count, and an increased risk of prostate cancer. In women, effects include deepening of the voice, shrinking of breasts, enlargement of the clitoris, male-pattern baldness, changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle, and the growth of facial hair. Also, adolescents risk permanently stunting their growth because of accelerated puberty changes and early maturation of the skeletal system. On top of all of this there are risks that are shared by all three groups including: kidney failure, liver failure, increased LDL (bad cholesterol), decreased HDL (good cholesterol), high blood pressure, jaundice, acne, fluid retention and hypertension. As if this was not enough, those who use steroids intravenously run the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other blood born illnesses.

Scientific research also shows that aggression and other psychiatric side effects may result from abuse of anabolic steroids. Many users report feeling good about themselves while on anabolic steroids, but researchers report that extreme mood swings also can occur, including manic-like symptoms leading to violence. Depression often is seen when the drugs are stopped and may contribute to dependence on anabolic steroids. Researchers report also that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility. (NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids Anabolic-Androgenic)

THE PROPOSAL

It is my opinion that the guidelines governing the use of performance enhancing drugs in professional sports need to be much stricter, especially those that govern Major League Baseball. Currently the rules of the MLB stipulate that players will be tested at random and that a player testing positive will serve a suspension of no more than ten games for his first offense, and will not see a season long suspension until a fourth offense. Even though each player is tested, it is at random and there is no guarantee that a player who has tested positive will be tested again in the same season. For a first offense in the NFL and NBA four and five game suspensions are given out respectively. Likewise the World Anti-Doping Agency mandates a two year ban for a first time offender and a lifetime ban for a repeat offense; most Olympic sports have adopted this policy.

My proposal would specifically change the policy of Major League Baseball and is strongly based on the actions taken by the World Anti-Doping Agency. My plan includes much more stringent penalties, leaning towards zero tolerance. Athletes who use performance enhancing drugs have an unfair advantage over other players, they are using illegal substances, and setting a horrible example for a younger generation that looks to them for inspiration. For the reasons listed above that under my plan first time offenders would be suspended for one full season and any previous records the offender had been broken would be taken out of the book. A second offense would be a player’s last. A second offense would lead to a life time ban from the sport, all records held would be voided, and the offender would not be eligible for the hall of fame; much like the parameters of Pete Rose’s ban. This policy would bring respect back to the game of Baseball and would hopefully lead to similar policies in other professional leagues.

When one looks at all the facts surrounding steroids it’s easy to see that there are more cons than pros, yet some people still feel that the risks are worth it. The federal regulation of these substances has tightened ten fold in past years, but when we look at professional sports we see that they are seriously behind. Whether they like it or not athletes are in the upper echelons of society and are roll models for today’s youth, and they need to set a good example. When athletes are merely being slapped on the wrist for using performance enhancing drugs they have no reason to stop. If we want to eradicate this problem and clean up sport then we must tighten the noose.

Bibliography

Associated Press. "Sides to Announce New Plan Thursday." ESPN.com 13 Jan. 2005. 13 Jan. 2005 <http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1965565>.

"InfoFacts: Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic)." NIDA. 3 Mar. 2005. NIDA. 3 Apr. 2006 <http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/Steroids.html>.

Snow, Chris. "MLB Steroid Policy Outlined." The Boston Globe Boston 14 Jan. 2005. Boston.com. 3 Apr. 2006

<http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/ articles/2005/01/14/mlb_steroid_policy_outlined/>.