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Thursday, Nov 26, 2009
The new testing and punishment regime finally addresses amphetamines, a far greater problem than steroids and a category of drugs that, unlike steroids, is undeniably performance enhancing. The penalties won't be quite as stiff, of course, because speed isn't as sexy as steroids, which is a little ironic given the best-known side effect of steroids for men.
Human growth hormone remains unaddressed by the new program.
The one good side effect of the antisteroid mania of the past few years is that there's a lot more information out there that's a lot easier to find. A teenager would have to be damn near brain-dead to have a friend suggest he start juicing and not have at least an inkling that it might not be a good idea, that there are dangers, and that maybe he should at least get online and try to learn a little something before he starts.
Of course, a lot of teenagers are damn near brain-dead. But at least the information's out there, at least it's been talked about, and maybe Mom, Dad, coaches and teachers are a little more aware that Junior's severe back acne might be the result of something more than genetic bad luck and poor bathing technique.
I've said before that I don't know the best way to keep kids -- and grown-ups too -- off of steroids or any other dangerous drug. I just know a law enforcement approach doesn't work. It changes behavior -- encourages users to choose drugs that are harder to detect or that the cops are less interested in, spurs manufacturers and dealers to be more creative -- but it doesn't solve the problem.
I suspect a good place to start would be an aggressive, innovative, energetic and varied program of education and treatment, one whose message is broad enough and ever-changing enough that it can reach all types of people, and keep reaching people who eventually start ignoring last week's message.
And I don't mean the brain-dead approach that put "Just say no" into the lexicon, although I think if the mainstream media just started calling steroids "ball-shrinking juice" it would keep more kids clean than all the speeches Rafael Palmeiro is ever going to give at schools for the rest of his life.
What I'm talking about would take money, creativity and massive effort. With law enforcement carrying the day, all the money, creativity and effort are going toward drug policing and drug-police avoidance. And not in that order, because there's more money in beating the cops than in being one.
So enjoy the steroid-free 2006 baseball season, folks, and while you're flying around the room, say hi to Abe Lincoln. Now that I've mentioned him, you're going to see him in your dream too.
Previous column: Len Elmore on race and sports
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