by Nanette Piotrowski

Created on: November 15, 2008

Cheating is cheating, no matter what venue or arena of sport. Everyday we hear of some 'sports hero,' that is under indictment for drug use. It doesn't matter whether it is cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol or steroids; drugs are prevalent in every sport. In most cases, these athletes are given a slap on the wrist, a temporary suspension from play and possibly some menial fine; that means nothing to the overpaid player who makes millions.

I find it appalling that athletes are placed on some type of pedestal to be worshipped by the sports public when they didn't even earn the right to be there. For the honest player who abides by the rules of fair play, it is a slap in the face. Those athletes work extremely hard in the sport that they love; to become the best that they can be. For an athlete to cheat, gives a black eye to all players in their respective sport.

It appears that drug abuse is not meted out fairly between an athlete and your every day John Doe. If you are the 'man on the street', and caught using drugs; you risk being fired from your job, thrown in jail, fined and looked upon badly by your peers. However, if you're an athlete, most of your indiscretions are forgiven because of your stature in the sports world.

How many tournaments, championships, medals and rings have been won by a team or individual who was using drugs? Maybe the team/individual that abided by the rules should have been the winner. Is this fair to the ones who worked hard to make it to the finals? What kind of an example does it set for our young people who idolize and worship the leaders of their sport?

Anabolic steroids (which promotes muscle tissue growth), is one of the most misused drugs in the sports world. Since this is an injectable hormone, I find that the ability to get this drug requires obtainment by a physician or with the knowledge of staff members. So it is not just the athlete that is cheating but also others involved in the organization.

The term "win at all cost", is not taking into consideration the physical damage to the body that may become permanent. Steroids and alcohol will destroy the liver and eventually break down the muscle tissue over time. Cocaine and methamphetamines will eventually destroy brain cells and the nasal cavity. The time-frame for an athlete is short lived compared to other occupations as it is, so why would you want to endanger your life and livelihood even further by the use of drugs?

By banning a professional sports athlete for life, for using drugs; will send a message that this behavior will no longer be tolerated. It will also revive the original image that working hard and giving it your all, will actually mean something.

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