Professional Athletes And Drug Use (Penalties) Essay, Research Paper
Malcolm Harvest
Mrs. Skelly
English II
May 8, 1999
Professional Athletes and Drug Use (Penalties)
This research paper is about athletes and their use of drugs. The drug that is most
frequently used by athletes is alcohol. Most athletes who use drugs do not get the
punishment that they deserve instead they receive punishment that is too lenient. The
penalties for professional athletes who use drugs are too lenient, they should be more
severe.
Examples of drugs that are used by most athletes are the following: Anabolic
Steroids, Dietary supplements, Blood Doping, Stimulants, Narcotics and Corticosteroids,
and Alcohol. Anabolic steroids are used illegally by athletes, to increase muscle mass
and strength. Anabolic steroids are also called Androgenic-anabolic steroids. They get
their name from the Greek words “Andro” and “Gennan” which mean male producing,
and “Anabold” which means to build up. Anabolic steroids are chemically similar to the
male hormone testosterone. The testis, a male sex organ, produces this hormone.
Anabolic steroids are usually injected into the testis when taken or ingested in tablets.
Athletes who abuse Anabolic steroids exceed the natural level of testosterone. Dietary
Athletes to replace or increase chemical or vitamins in the body use supplements.
Androstenedione is a hormone pre-cursor that increases testosterone in the blood,
which increases muscle mass, strength, and power. Blood
doping is when extra blood is injected into a person’s veins to increase red blood cells and
oxygen. Endurance athletes, who need as much oxygen as, mostly use this drug.
For example marathon runners, tri-athletes, and decathlon participators.
Stimulants are drugs that are taken to speed up the central nervous system. The most
Frequently used stimulant today is marijuana; most athletes are usually caught in
possession of this drug. Alcohol is a depressant that is used by athletes. A depressant is a
drug that slows down brain and body reactions. “Alcohol is the drug most frequently used
by athletes.” 1
The effects of drugs on the users and those around them sometimes do not seem
To be as bad as they really are. The athletes play a vital role as role model for the nations
young people. As athletes they have obligations to their sport, teammates, fans, and most
importantly themselves. Professional sports are a workplace. Pro athletes are paid to play
their sports, just as a doctor is paid to treat his patients, a carpenter is paid to build
houses and a truck driver is paid to drive his truck. Athletes have an example they must
set, but when they use drugs they fail at the example they set. Marijuana and Steroids
affect the human body in various ways, which is what some athletes do not know.
Marijuana is an addictive drug. ” Marihuana smoke produces functional, structural,
And irreversible lung changes in long term smokers.” 2 Marijuana smoke is more
damaging to the lungs than tobacco smoke. The effects of marijuana in psychiatry
evaluated conditions such as schizophrenia and alcoholism. Steroid use has many
long term effects. Months to years of steroid abuse can lead to liver tumors, sterility
coronary artery disease and increased aggression. In males shrinkage of the testis and
an increase in breast size are some side effects, and in females a decrease in breast size
and sterility.
The reasons for drug use by athletes are many, but the main one is the plain desire
to win. Anabolic steroids are used legitimately for skeletal and growth disorders for
certain types of anemia and to offset the negative effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
When most athletes turn up using drugs, then most young people think drugs are OK.
A medical journal says,” Sports has become so artificial that it is hard to tell between
acceptable and unacceptable aids.” 3 Some athletes take drugs for sicknesses that show up
on drug test these are cases when the drugs are accidental. Baseball star Darryl
Strawberry said that pressure from teammates to do cocaine. In many cases drug use is
brought on by peer pressure, but it is still no excuse for the use of drugs. Another reason
for drug use might be because in certain sports drugs are not banned. In 1994 the Dietary
Supplement Education Act was passed which made substances that create testosterone
unclassified as a drug. Reason for higher sales in supplements between this year and last
year were because many superstars like Mark McGwire who is suspected to be taking
Androstenedione.
Most solutions of drugs use should start with the athlete him or herself, but here
are a few methods of the National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS). The NDCS has three
goals to fight against drugs. One goal is to educate and enable America’s youth to reject
illegal drugs as well as tobacco and alcohol. Another goal is to reduce the health and
social costs to the public of illegal drug use. The last goal is to promote the national
adoption of drug free workplace programs that emphasize a comprehensive program that
includes drug testing, education, prevention, and intervention. The high visibility of the
professional sports, workplaces only underscore the need to make these drug-free places.
“Under the NDCS, ONDCP has an obligation to support drug-free workplaces no matter
whether the business is basketball, banking or baking” 4. Coaches are a very
important part of solving athletes drug problems. Coaches need to recognize problems
early so they do not get out of hand. Most drug problems in sports need the attention of a
coach. Which is why the coach must be very aware of all his or her players.
The penalties of drug are more than just being sentenced in court. They also have
long term effects, such as sickness and disease legal problems and maybe even death. The
use of marijuana is a drug abuse and should be as such in all ways. This statement is do to
fact of the things that we see on television when professional athletes are caught with
marijuana most people consider it not to be such a big deal. When yet in reality it is a
problem that should be taken more seriously than it should. When young people see these events
happening on television they take as a sign that its ok to be caught with marijuana there is
not much that can happen to them. That is why these problems should be taken care of in
a more serious manner than that of the past. In recent years Chinese women have set
remarkable world records; with 19 Chinese swimmers having tested positive for drugs
already this decade, the U.S. federation would like the drug rules to be made even
tougher. This is not such a bad idea, if drug rules were made tougher it would filter out
athletes who use drugs and make room for those athletes who work hard become the best
instead of those who prefer to take the easy way out. Not only will tougher drug rules
help out those athletes who chose to be all “natural”, but it will set an example for the
younger generation, and let them know that these things will no longer be tolerated. In
March, 1996 Pittsburgh Steelers running back Byron “Bam” Morris was indicted, for
possession of cocaine and marijuana. He spent a couple of months in prison, but was
soon released and back on the field. Although be convicted for this crime, made players,
coaches, and fans lose some of the faith in the player they had once cheered and rooted
for. Athletes should know that with the use of drugs come many consequences. Like an
incident in Dallas, Texas, with America’s supposed team. Also in March of 1996 Dallas
Cowboy’s star wide receiver Michael Irvin who is also the all-time leading receiver in
Dallas Cowboy history, was indicted with a felony charge for possession of four grams
of cocaine. Also with this came consequences Mr. Irvin lost a lot of money and a lot of
trust. It also took him away from the game he so loved. In the next season he missed over
half the season and when he came back he did not receive such a warm welcome from his
fans. Although these consequences are great, the greatest consequence of all is death. Len
Bias was a NBA superstar until death because of the use of stimulants. Dwight Gooden of
the New York Mets was also a case in which he was taken away from the sport he also
loved because of an alcohol problem he was suspended from baseball. Another
consequence would be embarrassment, and none would probably know it better than
track star Ben Johnson who was the fastest man alive in the 1988 Olympics until he
tested positive for steroids and soon after his gold medal was revoked.
From the information above reader’s should be better informed about dangers and
rewards from the use of drugs. Although sometimes they might get away with in the long
run they will suffer the consequences. The penalties for professional athletes who use
drugs are too lenient they should be more severe. Although at this time the penalties do
not seem to be becoming more severe, but when in fact they really are, and they will get
worse as time progresses.
Bibliography
“Marijuana Problems Summarized” Internet
Chicago Tribune, “Steelers’ Morris Indicted on Drug Charges,” March 27,1996
Associated Press, “Cowboys’ Irvin Is Indicted, “Kansas City Star, April 2, 1996
Galas, Judith Drugs and Sports San Diego: Lucent Books 1997
Roan, Shari ” Supplements Gaining Muscle” Los Angeles Times April 12, 1999
Shapiro, Harry Facts on Drugs and Sport New York: Franklin Watts 1989
“Where Athletics Fits In The National Drug Control Strategy” Internet
“Drug Problems In Sports” Video
“Athletes and Steroids “Mayo Clinic Health Letter V. 1, no.9-September ‘94 Internet
Dolan, Edward F. Jr. Drugs In Sports United States: Franklin Watts, 1986
Notes
1.Judith Galas Drugs and Sports (San Diego: Lucent Books, 1997) p.61
2.An international conference held at New York School of Medicine ” Marijuana Problems Summarized (New York: Charles Mott Foundation, March 20-21,1998) Internet
3.A medical journal “Daily Telegraph”(? Daily Telegraph, Aug. 7,1998)
4.National Drug Control Strategy (United States, 1999) p.1 of 2
63c
“Marijuana Problems Summarized” Internet
Chicago Tribune, “Steelers’ Morris Indicted on Drug Charges,” March 27,1996
Associated Press, “Cowboys’ Irvin Is Indicted, “Kansas City Star, April 2, 1996
Galas, Judith Drugs and Sports San Diego: Lucent Books 1997
Roan, Shari ” Supplements Gaining Muscle” Los Angeles Times April 12, 1999
Shapiro, Harry Facts on Drugs and Sport New York: Franklin Watts 1989
“Where Athletics Fits In The National Drug Control Strategy” Internet
“Drug Problems In Sports” Video
“Athletes and Steroids “Mayo Clinic Health Letter V. 1, no.9-September ‘94 Internet
Dolan, Edward F. Jr. Drugs In Sports United States: Franklin Watts, 1986