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Teens Steroid Use Climbs
July 8, 2010 Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM EDT


The speculation that pro-wrestler Chris Benoit killed himself and his family in a roid rage has fueled further debate about testing athletes for drugs like steroids and human growth hormones. But, should this testing include high school athletes? Today many state legislatures are now considering laws that would require that high school athletes be tested for steroids. "On their steroid rages, {teens} can become homicidal. On their steroid withdrawal, the depression that can hit them can make them suicidal" says Dr. Tedd Mitchell with the Cooper Clinic. The main obstacle keeping schools from requiring testing is a common one: funding. Experts say it may take years for steroid tests to become mandatory, if they ever do. Meanwhile, they say parents need to explain that using steroids is dangerous, it's illegal and it's cheating. "Bottom line, however you cut it, if you use steroids, you're cheating. And you're cheating not just yourself but the team that you play for," adds Dr. Mitchell. Experts say signs of steroid use include a child who is uncharacteristically moody, and has gained a lot of muscle over a short period of time.

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