Written By:
Associated Press
March 1, 2008
After a tough practice, he sheds his uniform, sits before the mirror by his locker, and flexes his muscles.
He doesn't like what he sees. Those biceps need to be bigger. Those pecs more pronounced.
And he didn't like what he heard earlier at practice.
"You've got to work harder at getting stronger," the coach told him.
But he is working hard, he thinks. I hit the weights, diligently. What else is there to do?
There is another way. A dangerous way.
He reaches for the needle. Or the pills.
And lets the steroids flow through his body, anticipating becoming stronger and not at all thinking about the risks to his health.
This is what Congress should be focusing its attention on, not just whether Roger Clemens lied to them about taking steroids.
Let's go back to when former Sen. George Mitchell released his report on steroid use in baseball. What members of Congress seem to be forgetting is that Mitchell's message went beyond how steroid use was threatening the integrity of the game. He feared that steroid abuse in the professional ranks was sending a terrible message to young people involved in sports; that if their heroes were using steroids to gain an advantage, then why shouldn't they do the same?
So when will there be hearings, in Congress, on how the federal government can work with states and local communities in discouraging young people from using steroids?
If Congress convened such hearings, they would hear plenty of testimony from people in Illinois who are close to the issue.
The Illinois High School Association, which has approved requiring student-athletes who compete in post-season events to be tested for performance-enhancing drugs, would tell Congress that such a measure is necessary. It would say that testing is a good way to prevent youngsters from cracking under the pressure to become stronger and faster through drugs, if they knew they'd get caught using them.
Others would warn against testing. They would question their reliability and deterrent value. Or even if it is necessary, because statistically steroid abuse isn't a huge problem among Illinois high school athletes.
Still others would say education programs that stress the dangers of steroid abuse are preferable to testing. Or stepping up public awareness campaigns aimed at helping parents and coaches identify the signs of abuse of performance enhancing drugs and act accordingly.
Certainly members of Congress have a right to be angry if Clemens or any other athlete that has testified before them on steroid use lied to them. The integrity of the congressional investigation process can't be compromised.
But they can learn a lot more about the dangers steroids pose to youngsters by dedicating more time to listening to those who are trying to prevent abuse of such drugs, and less time figuring who is actually using them.
