Talk with your kids about steroids

The Discovery Sharksmart Pupil Wellbeing Survey 2010 indicated that 8.4 percent of matrics among the 7 500 pupils surveyed had taken steroids sometime during their school careers.

The Discovery Sharksmart Pupil Wellbeing Survey 2010 indicated that 8.4 percent of matrics among the 7 500 pupils surveyed had taken steroids sometime during their school careers.

Published Nov 10, 2010

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A recent survey of boys and girls in schools across KwaZulu-Natal brought up a number of factors that raise concern for present-day scholars.

One of them is the serious issue of steroid use, principally among boys, and to a much lesser degree girls, who are involved in high-level sport.

The Discovery Sharksmart Pupil Wellbeing Survey 2010 indicated that 8.4 percent of matrics among the 7 500 pupils surveyed had taken steroids sometime during their school careers. The average for grades 6 to 12 was 4.7 percent, with steroid usage increasing with age.

Much of the steroid use is happening clandestinely, and it would seem that in many cases parents are not aware of the purchase and use of the steroids by their child. It therefore becomes critical that parents are well-informed about the issues around steroids, and talk freely and openly with their children.

So what can you as a parent do to combat steroid use?

Firstly, be informed, talk about steroids openly with your children. There is a good deal of literature around at the moment, and plenty of information on the SharkSmart website www.sharksmart.co.za and Discovery Sharksmart runs a Doping Hotline (0861-DOPING) which can be used as a good starting point for any parent trying to find out more about this topic.

Be aware of the signs of steroid use. I will go into this in more detail on my next column, but the signs range from a number of physical clues and a number of behavioural changes.

Espouse the values of fair play in all you and your family do. Steroid use is essentially cheating, and this needs to be spelt out in all the discussions you have with your children.

Help build self-esteem, and play down unrealistic self-image and performance expectations. Teenage years are complex from a psychological point of view. Parents have a massive role to play in moulding a child’s acceptance and confidence in who they are.

Central to this is the importance of parents not putting pressure on their children to perform or bring home headline sporting achievements. Reinforce that it is better to play fair than to win at all costs.

You have to be a formidable presence in your kid’s life (because there are a million other outside influences).

If you suspect that things are getting out of hand, you must confront your child. These are serious issues, with ramifications that could affect your children for the rest of their lives, so act quickly.

Then, explore alternatives, and seek professional help if necessary.

Anticipate that this will be a difficult path to walk with your child, as they will be rethinking decisions that they have already taken. It is vital that you stay involved in their lives, no matter what, and love them unconditionally!

We need to take a stand against cheating and a win-at-all-costs mentality.

Should you come across a teacher, coach, trainer or anyone else who encourages the use of steroids please feel free to make use of the Discovery Sharksmart Doping Hotline (0861-DOPING). - The Mercury

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