Anabolic steroid use at the high school level is of concern. Steroids are used by some athletes in sports to improve athletic performance and/or to enhance the body in a cosmetic way.

A recent study indicates that more than six percent of high school seniors use steroids. About two-thirds of these seniors tried steroids before the age of 16. The use by high school and junior high school age youth may be on the increase.
High school coaches may not be able to prevent the use of steroids altogether, but they can clearly and forcefully discourage their use. Coaches should take a proactive role in prevention.

First, coaches should learn about steroids, what they do and what they will not do. Then they should provide this information for their athletes. Steroids, with proper diet and weight training, can increase muscle development, however, as is typical with most get-rich-quick schemes, steroid use has potentially serious short-and long-term consequences that must be addressed.

Most coaches would never promote steroid use intentionally. Total silence by coaches, however, condones use in some young people's minds. Even though steroids may not be mentioned when it is suggested to an athlete that his/her success is limited only by a lack of weight and/or strength, without a disclaimer that statement can be a motivation to use steroids. The alluring nature of the drug that allows for development of increased weight under the aforementioned circumstances is a coercive power that is difficult for the individual to resist without knowing what the side effects of the drugs may be.

While steroid use is not rivaling the use of alcohol and other drugs in schools, it is a concern. The issue goes beyond protection of the health of students: the use of steroids in sports is cheating. We stand opposed to the use of steroids by athletes and all members of the student body because of both health and ethical concerns.

School personnel and coaches should not dispense any drug, medication or food supplement except the extreme caution and in accordance with policies developed in consultation with parents, health-care professionals and senior administrative personnel of the school or school district.

Use of any drug, medication or food supplement in a way not prescribed by the manufacturer should not be authorized or encouraged by school personnel and coaches. Even natural substances in unnatural amounts may have short-term or long-term negative health effects.

In order to minimize health risks to student-athletes, maintain ethical standards and reduce liability risks, school personnel and coaches should never supply, recommend or permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes.

Michigan public school employees and volunteers are prohibited by Public Law 187 from promoting or supplying dietary supplements which carry claims of enhanced athletic performance. The Law covers adrostenedione, creatine and any compound labeled as performance enhancing.