9/1/05
Spano Announces Plans to Tackle Issues of
Teen Use of Steroids and Other Performance-enhancing Products
Oct. 24 Summit for youth and coaches, one of many events planned
Steroids Website
County Executive
Andy Spano (l), watches as White Plains High School student
athlete Lauren McGuire speaks about not using steroids. To
her right, Principal Ivan Toper. Also speaking at the press
conference were Tom Lee, a football player; Nick Panaro,
WPHS athletic director; and Jody Cole, coordinator of health
and phys ed. |
As Westchester teen athletes prepare for the fall sports season,
Westchester County Executive Andy Spano today announced a broad
initiative designed to get the word out to student athletes and
non-athletes alike: stay away from steroids and other
performance-enhancing products.
“In this day and age, when everyone wants to look good or excel in
sports, it is important that our kids achieve these goals through
healthy training techniques rather than with short cuts such as
steroids that will ultimately harm their health,” Spano said. “It is
also worrisome that many of the sports heroes our kids idolize are
being accused of using these products to achieve their success. We
have to be concerned that these so- called heroes may be emulated by
our kids.” |
He added, “Recent national surveys
indicate that steroids and supplements are being used by an
increasing number of youth -- both boys and girls, athletes and
non-athletes. There is some evidence that Westchester County may be
following this national trend. And this is not just about boys and
athletes. We know non-athletes of both sexes are taking supplements
to help their ‘body image.’ We want to reverse this trend before
things get out of hand. And a key way to do this is to educate our
young people about how they are putting their health at risk.”
A highlight of Spano’s initiative will be a Summit on Oct. 24, to
bring together high school athletes and school leaders, athletic
directors, coaches, physical education teachers, health teachers,
principals, health professionals and trainers. The initiative will
also include other events throughout the fall to educate parents and
health professionals and the staffs of dance studios, health food
stores and health clubs.
“We need the participation of health food and supplement stores,
fitness clubs, trainers, schools, parents, law enforcement
officials, community coalitions and students themselves to help
tackle this problem,” Spano said.
“Our goal is to reach out to many
areas in our community to make sure they understand that these
products are dangerous and in some instances illegal.”
The initiative is a combined effort of the County Executive’s
Office, the Department of Health and the Office of Drug Prevention
and Stop-DWI.
“While steroids can cause serious health problems in anyone who uses
them, they pose a special danger to adolescents,” said Dr. Joshua
Lipsman, Westchester County commissioner of health. “The use of
these products can cause high blood pressure, heart disease and
liver damage. Steroids have also been shown to stop growth too soon
and cause severe acne, aggressive behavior and depression.”
“It is also important to note that over-the-counter supplements that
are sold in health food stores are not regulated by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) and not held to the same strict standards
as other drugs,” he added.
“The effects of these products have only
begun to be studied and the long-term effects are simply unknown.”
Detailed information on all aspects of the county steroids campaign
will be posted on a website that is now under construction at
www.westchestergov.com/steroids .This website will also contain
educational information, fitness and nutrition tips, and links to
valuable resources.
SUMMIT
The Oct. 24 Summit will be modeled after Spano’s successful summits
on underage drinking and cyberbullying. It will take place from 8:30
a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the County Center. Letters will go out in early
September asking Westchester’s public and private high schools to
send four student representatives to the Summit: a male and female
team captain and a male and female student leader.
The event will feature a panel of experts to discuss the problem and
then small breakout groups.
Slated to present are substance abuse specialists, sports medicine
physicians, a physical therapist and a professional fitness trainer
who will cover topics such as the dangers of steroid and other
athletic performance enhancing products, how to recognize signs and
symptoms of product use, methods for coaches to discourage use of
such products and healthy ways to achieve desired fitness or body
image.
The conference will also be a forum to share information about the
extent in Westchester of the use of steroids and supplements in
Westchester and develop a comprehensive strategy to control the
problem.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
While the Summit is targeted to the use by school athletes, there is
recognition that performance-enhancing products are also used by
dancers, body builders and teens and young adults who want to look
tough or “buff.”
The series of activities will attempt to find solutions to this
multi-faceted problem that is fueled by professional sports and the
pressure to excel. They will include the following:
- An October meeting for Community Drug Prevention Coalitions to
plan steps that can be taken in their local communities.
- A fall meeting for police to discuss enforcement efforts.
- A meeting for managers of local health clubs and gyms to discuss
steroid and supplement use by patrons and liability issues.
- A training for school nurses and substance abuse prevention and
treatment providers to better respond to student steroid and
supplement use.
- A meeting for parks and recreation personnel to alert them to the
problem.
- A media campaign to alert parents and teens to the dangers of
steroids and performance-enhancing products
- Work with Peers Influence Peers to develop teen-produced PSAs
dealing with steroids.
- Collaboration with county agencies to promote healthy lifestyle
messages (i.e. Youth Council, Department of Community Mental Health,
Department of Parks and Recreations, etc.)
- Promotional message through programs and services provided by
Westchester County’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Coalition
- Focus groups in 30 Westchester County High Schools that have
Student Assistance Services
- Development of an informational video for use by coaches,
teachers, community groups, and others.
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