Public Service Announcements and "In the Mix" Show Highlight Dangers of Anabolic Steroids
Part of the angst of adolescence is concern about body
image. In the quest for physical perfection and athletic
performance America's young adults increasingly have turned
to anabolic steroids, despite the serious side effects of
these drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA),
which began a public education program about abuse of
anabolic steroids in April 2000, is now distributing public
service announcements in English and Spanish to television
stations across the country. The announcements are
designed to educate teens, parents and others about the
dangers of anabolic steroid abuse.
The Institute also participated in the development of
"Steroids: The Hard Truth," a special on anabolic steroid
abuse among young people that will air on "In the Mix", a
popular television show for teens (airing on PBS stations,
February 16, 2002, to February 23, 2002, check local
listings). This program addresses the growing use of
anabolic steroids by girls as well as boys. It features
interviews with teens on sports and self-image; and
provides insights from ex-users and experts who reveal the
dangers and misconceptions about steroids.
"Anabolic steroids is the familiar name for synthetic
substances related to testosterone, the male sex hormone,"
said Dr. Glen Hanson, Acting Director, NIDA. "While these
drugs have medical uses, such as treating delayed puberty,
when abused, anabolic steroids have serious health
consequences. Instead of enhancing body image, in fact,
they can do the very opposite. In boys and men, the abuse
of anabolic steroids can reduce sperm production, shrink
the testicles, and cause impotence and irreversible breast
enlargement. Girls and women can develop more masculine
characteristics such as deepening of the voice and
excessive body hair."
In addition to the public service announcements, NIDA has a
"Research Report: Anabolic Steroid Abuse" and other
information about the health effects of these drugs on its
websites (www.drugabuse.gov or www.steroidabuse.org). This
information may also be requested by calling the National
Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) at
1-800-729-6686.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. NIDA supports more than 85 percent of
the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse
and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of
programs to ensure the rapid dissemination of research
information and its implementation in policy and practice.
Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and
other topics can be ordered free of charge in English and
Spanish by calling NIDA Infofax at 1-888-NIH-NIDA (644-
6432) or 1-888-TTY-NIDA (889-6432) for the deaf. These fact
sheets and further information on NIDA research and other
activities can be found on the NIDA home page at
http://www.drugabuse.gov.
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