Promote a "winning isn't everything" attitude
While young teens tend to value the camaraderie and excitement of playing sports, by the time they reach eighteen, winning may have become the only thing that matters. With this attitude shift, kids in sports are more likely to use drugs. As a parent, what values do you project? When your son crashes through the front door after a game, is the first question you ask, "Did you win?" A better opener might be "How was the game?" or "How did you play tonight?" Make sure your son knows that you value most the efforts he puts into training, into playing by the rules, and into working toward a personal best.
Thirteen is not too young to talk about steroid use as a form of cheating. Discuss the importance of playing drug-free. As your child gets older, he'll take more responsibility for getting himself to practices and games, so you won't have as much contact with other team members and coaching staff. But keep your eyes open. Is there any indication that your son is subtly or overtly being pressured into taking steroids either by his teammates or his coach? If you suspect that steroids have infiltrated the team, it's time for you to intervene.
Finding pills or vials and syringes in your son's bedroom may make you paralyzed with anger and fear. But doing nothing is the worst thing you can do for your son. The Sport Medicine Council of Saskatchewan recommends the following:
• Take action. First-time users may not know what they're getting into and need the facts.
• Seek professional help from a physician who specializes in sports medicine.
• Show your support. Going off steroids can be physically and emotionally traumatic.
Page 2 of 3 - Learn what signs to look for on page 3
