November 28, 2007

Dr. Billy K. Cannaday

Virginia Department of Education
PO Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218

Dear Dr. Cannaday,

      My name is ReCharde Johnson and I am a freshman at George Mason University, I would like to bring to your attention the dangers of anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are powerful drugs that many people take in high doses to boost athletic performance. Anabolic means "building body tissue." Anabolic steroids help build muscle tissue and increase body mass by acting like the body's natural male hormone, testosterone. Although, this may seem like a harmless action, steroids have a lot of harmful side effects. Even though recent media coverage exposed the “steroid age” in major league baseball, but the dangers of steroid not only affects pro sports but there now beginning to reach high school students and athletes. Before this becomes an epidemic among high school students there are a couple programs I would like you to implement.

      There are a few programs that I would like to see implemented to make high school students and athletes aware of the side effects of harmful side effects of anabolic steroids. First I would like to see all coaches and volunteers made to complete the American Sport Education Program course on steroids. Also, schools in California are required to hold meetings on the use and abuse of steroids, and I would like Virginia to adopt a similar program. Lastly, I would like Virginia to start testing high school athletes for performing enhancing drugs at least once a season.

      Even though one may gain a new, better looking physique, steroids have a lot of harmful side effects. Some users may experience high blood pressure and heart disease. Also, liver damage and cancers have been attributed to steroid use. Along with cancer some steroids users have experienced strokes, blood clots, urinary and bowel problems, such as diarrhea. Less harmful problems may include headaches, aching joints, and muscle cramps. Steroid side effects were once limited to pro and Olympic athletes but recently the problems on steroids have reached out to high school students and athletes.

      Steroid use has recently left the professional locker rooms and has entered the classrooms and locker rooms of high school students and athletes. Statistics vary but the latest national survey of steroid use among teen’s reports that 3.5 percent of high school seniors admitted to using steroids at least once. That doesn’t sound like a lot. But it’s a 67 percent increase over the 1991 survey and a 17 percent increase over figures cited by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1999.

      Sports Weekly recently conducted a round table discussion with athletes from schools in the metropolitan Washington area; they discovered that use of performance-enhancing substances takes place openly in the locker rooms, weight rooms and cafeterias of public and private high schools. Also, their discussion showed that although the vast majority of student-athletes consider steroid use "cheating" and acknowledge some degree of risk, some remain willing to sacrifice long-term health for short-term benefits. Lastly, they discovered that coaches, as well as athletes, know what's going on but are often powerless to stop the use of performance enhancers, some, in fact, are willing to turn a blind eye. Even though high school students and athletes are beginning to use anabolic steroids it’s not too late for use to implement some programs to end the steroid problem in Virginia before it starts.

                  As a former educator and an individual with a degree in Health and Physical Education, I know you will share my concerns over steroid abuse in Virginia public high schools. Also, I look forward to seeing some of my suggestions implemented. If you have any questions or concerns I am open for a meeting anytime.

                                                                                                      Sincerely,

                                                                                                      ReCharde Johnson

                                                                                                      (520)-249-2769

                                                                                                      PMB # 3265

                                                                                                      4450 Rivanna Lane

                                                                                                      Fairfax, VA 23666