Coaches

You know whether your team has what it takes to win. But, do your athletes know what they can lose by using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and sports supplements?

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, it is estimated that over 1 million teenagers in the United States have used steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

As a coach and teacher, you play a vital role in educating your athletes about the dangers of using PEDs and encouraging them to be healthy and strong – on and off the field. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is working with the TSSAA to help you with resources and ideas for including PED education in your athletic program as well as physical education, weightlifting and training classes.

In a study conducted by the BlueCross BlueShield Association, 69 percent of teens indicated they had not received information on the dangers of using PEDs from their coaches.¹

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and the TSSAA hope that you will use the information and resources available through the Healthy Competition program to begin a conversation with your students and athletes about the dangers of PED use.

1 National Performance-Enhancing Drug Study . BlueCross Blue Shield Association, 2001.