Persistent 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 in our society—that bigger is better, and being the best is more important than how you get there.

On December 13, 2007, former Senate majority leader George Mitchell (D-Maine) released a report to the commissioner of baseball stating that the New York Yankees' starting pitcher, Roger Clemens, and others, had illegally used performance enhancing substances during their major league baseball careers. Clemens, also known as "The Rocket," is a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and has been strongly considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame; however, Mitchell's report has damaged his reputation. The report has also hurt the careers of those around him, including his then-fitness trainer, Brian McNamee. McNamee testified against Clemens and reported that he had personally injected Clemens with steroids, testosterone, and human growth hormone. Clemens has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that he has never tested positive for these substances and is merely a victim of slander and attack. While Clemens's alleged use of steroids has garnered a high level of media attention, it is only a small part of the performance enhancing drug controversy.

A Crisis In Swimming - A lot has been said and written about drugs in sport. With each passing year, there are more and more of athletes caught taking banned drugs/chemicals that enhance sport performance. In the recent Tour de France cycling race, almost half of the urine samples yielded traces of banned substances. An underlying inference is that anyone who tests positive for drugs is a cheat.

A lot has been said and written about drugs in sport. With each passing year, there are more and more of athletes caught taking banned drugs/chemicals that enhance sport performance. In the recent Tour de France cycling race, almost half of the urine samples yielded traces of banned substances. An underlying inference is that anyone who tests positive for drugs is a cheat.

hletes using steroids or hormones to add muscle are playing an even more dangerous game with their health, Wojtys says. And concerns are growing. One alarming study reported that adolescent use of steroids is on the rise, according to The National Institute on Drug Abuse