The Silent Epidemic: Athletes and Drug Use

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the ethical issues and consequences of the increase of drug use among athletes. From Olympians to baseball home-run hitters, the paper looks at who is using -- and why. The author also discusses testing and fines (or other punishment from governing bodies). The paper concludes with a discussion about the ramification of drug use in professional and high level amateur sports, and its influence on society, particularly on impressionable youth athletes.

From the Paper:

"Athletes have always been contemptuous of sport's attempts to regulate drug use, but they tended to keep their mouths shut. Most resented the upper hand that testing gave management, but they were too afraid of being caught, punished, and embarrassed to speak up unless they were squeaky clean, retired or busted. The line between what is effective and legal and what is effective and illegal is diminishing. It is not clear anymore because the people who are making these illegal and controversial substances are getting good and they are finding ways to dim the line. By all accounts, athletes and coaches are becoming much more aggressive and skillful in using drugs ranging from sodium bicarbonate, which keeps muscles from tiring, to patches soaked with synthetic testosterone to build muscles. Having to resort to such extreme measures to win represents the egocentric nature commonly found in athletes today."

More papers on The Silent Epidemic: Athletes and Drug Use:

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• Term Paper # 140679 : "U.S. Policies: Health and Drug Use"
• Research Paper # 88818 : "Athletes and Steroid Use"

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