SENATE MEMORIAL 51

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph J. Carraro

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT 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

      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 and implement, 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.

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