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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP

PREVENTION EDUCATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO TEACH THE

DANGERS OF ANABOLIC STEROID ABUSE.

WHEREAS, anabolic steroids are artificial substances

related to male sex hormones that athletes often use to build

muscle and improve athletic performance; and

WHEREAS, using anabolic steroids in this way is neither

legal nor safe, and their use by athletes can cause heart

problems, including cardiac arrest, liver disease and

aggressive behavior; and

WHEREAS, the national institute on drug abuse reports

that, in adolescents, anabolic steroid abuse can halt bone

growth and has been associated with damage to the heart,

kidneys and liver, as well as problems with sexual

development; and

WHEREAS, there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence

linking anabolic steroid use with suicide and extremely

unpredictable and aggressive behavior; and

WHEREAS, despite all of the warnings issued by the

health care community, adolescent athletes are under

increasing pressure to use anabolic steroids in order to

obtain a competitive edge when seeking sports scholarships

and career opportunities; and

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WHEREAS, in light of the severity of the threat that

anabolic steroids pose to adolescents, the states of Florida,

New Jersey and Texas have passed legislation to implement

anabolic steroid testing programs for high school students;

and

WHEREAS, the state of Oregon has passed legislation to

provide for teaching students about the dangers of anabolic

steroid abuse;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be

requested to develop, at the earliest opportunity, an

educational anabolic steroid abuse prevention program aimed

at high school students to teach the dangers of anabolic

steroid abuse; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of public education.