Athletes And Devience Essay Research Paper Do

Athletes And Devience Essay, Research Paper

Do athletes engage in more deviance then non-athletes. In the study of athletes and drugs, one major topic that was discussed was the use of drugs by athletes at all levels. With much controversy dealing with the issue of drug testing in high school, college and professional sports, many people are debating whether or not the use of drugs is a problem in the athletic system.

With the problems of drugs appearing in the world of sports, many parents believe that if they place their children into a sport or any other extracurricular activity at an early age they will be spared from the world of drug use and maintain better grades in the long- run. Little do they know that teens who play sports do get better grades, but are also more likely to be the students who use alcohol and drugs. .It has been proven that alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana are the leading choice among youths in America today. (journal of alcohol and drugs education pg. 49). Due to the fact that the drugs mentioned above are probably the most common and easiest to get a hold of, they are also usually the ones that kids try first.

Alcohol, despite the increase in education and prevention efforts, remains the drug most widely used by high school students. Peer pressure also plays a large role in the amount of abuse that student do to their bodies. Many athletes want to conform and

fit into the mold of the school that is rooting for them. .A survey suggested that in 1992, 51% of high school seniors claimed that they had consumed an alcohol beverage in the

last month. A study taken among high school athletes in 1988 showed that 83% of high school athletes have tried alcohol once in their lives. While 55% admitted to consuming alcohol varying from a few times a month to once a day. Rainey, Mckeown, Sargent, and Valios (1996) also found that highly active athletes, grades form 9th to 12th conducted in more drug-in taking than the low-active non-athletes. And were more likely to binge drink, concluding that athletic youths are at increased risk of alcohol use and binge drinking..

With the pressure on young athletes by coaches and parents, many athletes in almost every university, high school and junior high feel that they must excel and be the best. For athletes, success in sports can mean finical scholarships, money towards college, jobs in advertising, and for a few lucky people a job as a professional athlete. To achieve these high statuses and dreams many students turn to the use of ergogenic drugs, drugs that enhance athletic performance.

Athletes are more likely to take drugs that enhance themselves physically and psychologically. .Many of the drugs that athletes choose to use are stimulants such as amphetamines and many other drugs with ergogenic effects. (Bell 1987). Some examples of ergogenic substances and their effects are: Amino acids, which stimulate

natural production of growth hormones, amphetamines and cocaine which increase strength, alertness, and endurance, caffeine which reduces fatigue and many more.

Many students get started using these drugs with suggestions from coaches and even with the suggestion from a fellow team member. They feel that with this extra boost of drugs in their system, their energy and sports level will improve their game.

With the exception of major pain medications, student athletes report obtaining performance enhancing drugs primarily from sources outside athletic programs, for example from teammates, other athletes, friends, relatives, or even dealers. .Athletes who admitted using anabolic steroids within the past year indicated that they received them from athletic personnel at their own personal schools or places of work. (Albrecht, 9).

Many possible reasons for college athletes to take socially-used drugs are to improve athletic performance, to make them feel better, for social use, and to help deal with college stress both in the fields of academics and athletics. The amount of drug abuse decreased among Division I athletes since 1989, while an increase appeared to take place in both Division II and Division III. Division III athletes reported the highest percentage of alcohol and marijuana use. The also reported the highest amounts of cocaine use. Division II athletes reported a higher percentage of cocaine and crack use. The lowest percentage of drug use is found in Division I athletes because they have a

stricter drug testing policy and these athletes have more to loose then a Division II and Division III athlete.

If college students fail their drug test, punishment can be very severe. Although sports are the same from Division to Division the punishment varies from class to class. In Division III and II athletics, athletes are not tested unless they have the opportunity to play in national championships or make the regional. Division I athletes are tested periodically with random testing thrown in occasionally whether in game season or not. Division I athletes have more in-store for them unlike Division III athletes. Division III athletes are not given the chance to receive athletic funds or scholarships. Without having the chance to receive athletic scholarships students don.t have the risk of being dismissed from school for not participating in their sport. In the case of Division I athletes where it becomes