Performance-enhancing drugs are allowed in sports.

Health risks

The only way to preserve integrity in sport and protect the health of athletes is through a serious anti-doping approach. (resource #1)

The use of steroids can have serious health repercussions, including affected liver, endocrine, and reproductive function, tumors of the liver and kidneys, heart conditions, and psychiatric symptoms. (resource #1)

integrity

integrity of sport is fundamental to the spirit of sport, and that integrity is threatened by doping (resource #1)

There are several reasons to ban performance-enhancing drugs: respect for the rules of sports, recognition that natural talents and their perfection are the point of sports, and the prospect of an ‘arms race’ in athletic performance (resource #2)

The mental risks

Steroid users may become overly aggressive or combative, a condition commonly referred to as “’roid rage.” Uncontrolled aggression causes some steroid users to become confrontational with friends and family; sometimes, they end up in trouble with the law (recourse #3)

Depression has also been linked to steroid use, and athletes who use performance-enhancing steroids are more likely to attempt suicide than athletes who do not use them. (recourse #3)

resource #1

Ashby, By: April. “Why Steroids Have No Place in Sports.” Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog, 20 Oct. 2010, law.marquette.edu/facultyblog/2010/10/why-steroids-have-no-place-in-sports/comment-page-1/.

“Top 10 Pro & Con Arguments - Drug Use in Sports - ProCon.org.” Drug Use in Sports, sportsanddrugs.procon.org/top-10-pro-con-arguments/.

Resource #2

Resource #3

“The Risks of Steroid Use - OrthoInfo - AAOS.” OrthoInfo, orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/the-risks-of-using-performance-enhancing-drugs-in-sports/.