Steriods - Part of our Culture

Last week The Wall Street Journal had a page 1 story on how the doping scandal changes overall standings in sports. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Marion Jones case could bump up 29 athletes, either within the medalist standings or into them. Jones hardly stands alone. During the last Summer Games in Athens, there were a record 26 doping cases, according to the International Olympic Committee.


Steroid use is not limited to professional sports. Steroids can be found in our high schools, our local gyms and even in the medicine cabinets of some of our age-obsessed neighbors. Yet our coverage and knowledge of the drug seems to be limited to the big name scandals. Here are some resources that may inspire a localized story.

WADA - The World Anti-Doping Agency
Find the Code, a list of prohibited substances [PDF], and the standard for therapeutic use here.

USADA - United States Anti-Doping Agency
The U.S. Congress recognized USADA as "the official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Pan American and Paralympic sport in the United States." Web site has a searchable drug reference database.

Office of National Drug Control Policy
A "drug fact" page on steroids.

National Federal of State High School Associations NFHS has a section on steroid awareness that includes additional resources.

Forums
Many forums can be found on the web that discuss steroid use. Example:
Track and Field News