Are performance enhancing drugs a problem in high school?

I was talking to a knowledgeable friend who alleged that steroids & other performance enhancers were very prevalent in NC high school sports 5-10 years ago. He did not give any evidence, which makes me doubt it. I do remember reading a national survey that suggested as many as 15-20% of HS athletes juiced at one time. But in my naivety, I figured that was in California or Texas...not here. I do not know of one kid who ever crossed the line.

I have a hunch this has been discussed here before. But I never read it. Anybody have any thoughts?

 

Everything is supposition, rumors and gossips because they don't test for it. But just follow the pros...everything filters down to the HS from there.

Does it happen in HS?...of course it does. But to what degree?

Although colleges have recently taken on a more aggressive approach to testing, it is/was widespread and affected some baseball programs.

I know one thing, if a coach tells a kid at the end of the spring that he needs to add 15-20 lbs of muscle before returning in the fall..well, some kids are going to take the easy way knowing the coach will not ask questions and will congratulate him with the results.

 

Braves, You are in the know. I'm not looking for any names or clues because that would be a moral wrong on our part.

But I'm curious: do you personally first hand know of area kids who used to or still do juice? If so...did it visibly help them? Were they a top of the line athlete who won awards & got a scholarship to college?

With all the ball my son played (4 varsity sports in high school plus travel ball in 3 sports), neither Ty or I can name one person we know first hand who went the drug route. That makes me believe that it is & was less common than some might suggest.

 

Yes, I do....but just a few. The kid's teammates know who they are.

I think we are seeing just the tip of a potentailly growing problem. There are some adults, parents and coaches, that don't believe Performance Enhancing Drugs are necessarily health risks.

It's pretty common knowledge which colleges were highly suspected of steroid use, but I believe that has curtailed to a large degree because of schools' testing. But the kids that want to experiment with these type drugs are street smart and know what is not detected.

I'm not trying to indict anyone. I'm just saying that sports in America is always a reflection of the times.

And despite all of the posturing, Pro sports, in all of the ages, have looked for a way to get an edge. In the 70's and early 80's "greenies" were very popular. An amphetamine that kept you awake and focused. Some players jokingly referred to it as "The Breakfast of Champions".

I think it would be naiive to think that there isn't a trickle down effect

 

The biggest difference I see in HS baseball between the 70's - present are the parents. While I truly believe that most parents are ethical, kind and caring, there are a minority that cross the other side. They would have no qualms in aiding their child through any means possible to reach their dad's dream of their son becoming a Pro athlete...football, basketball or baseball.

...and I wouldn't say that unless I had personal knowledge.

 

Looking back on it, I'm pretty sure there were a good number of guys juicing at my high school. And that was from 1982 - 1985.

 

Wow...I'm just blown away. I live in a bubble, I guess. Braves I'm the naive one you talked about.

What irks me personally is that the cheaters are stealing from the ones who play by the rules. The steal wins, honors like All State, & scholarship $$ too. So it's not a victimless crime...everyone loses.

 

not in the long run...by any stretch of the imagination.

 

To be honest I haven't seen it within our baseball program. Maybe I am naive, but I am around the kids a lot and have never even heard it discussed.

 

It is not widespread in HS baseball..., but I don't know all of the areas. Like I said, it is more prevalent in some colleges..and in some cases it is widespread on certain teams.

Ask around, you'll find out who those programs are...or were in some cases.
I can say this with complete confidence. I know of at least one player in nearly every college program in this state. They don't hide it.