DRUG USE

It is common knowledge that there is illicit drug use
by athletes at all levels: recreational drugs, anabolic
steroids, pain controlling agents, ergogenics, and
alcohol.


Therapeutic medications are an integral part of sports
medicine. Used appropriately, they control pain and
inflammation, speed recovery, and hasten return to
function.


It is the obligation of the sports physician to know
each drug thoroughly, especially its potential effect(s)
on the safety or effectiveness of the athlete’s performance.
Appropriately prescribed drugs must not expose
the athlete to potential disqualification, e.g., as in the
prevention of exercise-induced asthma, when an
effective legal medication can be found.


Nowadays, available testing makes it impossible to
catch all participants who use banned substances.
That is rapidly changing.


There are those who would remove all bans on
enhancing agents, hormones for instance, allowing for
a “free-for-all” with unrestricted use.


There are two major arguments against such an attitude:
one should not condone cheating; and the essence
of sport itself.