Parents

You’re proud of your teen and his or her accomplishments – on and off the field. And while most teens don’t use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), it is estimated that over 1 million teenagers in the United States have used steroids and other substances to improve athletic performance.

It’s just as important to talk to teens about the dangers of using PEDs as it is illegal drugs like marijuana and cocaine. But, in a study conducted by the BlueCross BlueShield Association, 81 percent of teens surveyed indicated they had never had a conversation with their parents about PEDs.¹

Teens and young athletes are under a lot of pressure to succeed – from their parents, coaches, friends, teammates, and especially, themselves – and it’s tempting to take shortcuts, like PEDs, to develop a stronger body and a competitive advantage. And recent studies have shown that young people who aren’t athletes are taking these substances to improve their physical appearance – to look “cut” and “ripped.”

Teens need to know that using PEDs can have serious, and possibly long-term, side effects.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) are here to help you understand the dangers of PEDs, and give you the tools you need to talk with your teen and help him or her make the smart decision to compete drug-free.

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