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Calls on Orioles Second Baseman to Help Educate Youth on Risks of Performance-Enhancing Drugs
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Baltimore, Md.—Following the admission of steroid use by Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (Md.-07), Co-Founder and Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Drug Policy and a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter requesting that Mr. Roberts partner with him in Powered by ME!, an awareness campaign aimed at teaching youth about the dangers of anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing substances (text of the letter below).
“While we are all guilty of making mistakes, what distinguishes a hero is the acknowledgment of those mistakes and the commitment to learn from them,” Congressman Cummings said. “The courage and integrity demonstrated by Brian Roberts in his admission to his past steroid use speaks volumes about his character, and I am hopeful that he will use the lesson from this mistake to prevent his young fans from making a similar error that could put their health at serious risk.”
According to a national survey sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 16 high school students reported ever using illegal steroids in 2003, a nearly three-fold increase from 1 in 45 who reported steroid use in 1993. Experts have estimated that more than 500,000 high school students in the U.S. have used steroids.
Anabolic steroids pose special medical risks to youth; by interrupting normal hormone levels, the drugs can send a signal to the bones to stop growing, stunting growth and leading to serious psychiatric disorders. Steroid use among teenagers is also associated with a range of potentially dangerous behaviors, including risky sexual activities, carrying a weapon, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
“The ripple effect caused by steroid abuse in professional sports extends far beyond the individual user and questions of fairness in the game,” Congressman Cummings said. “When the issue of steroid abuse is kept quiet, it is our young people—trying to emulate these professional athletes—who suffer. Brian Roberts has a great opportunity to put an end to the perpetuation of the myth in baseball that steroids are not only acceptable, but also safe, and it is my hope that he will join me in this effort.”
Powered by ME! is a unique campaign in the Baltimore area developed by St. Joseph Medical Center in conjunction with Congressman Cummings with a number of partners and volunteer experts—including athletes, coaches, and medical professionals—focused on educating middle and high school students, parents, coaches, and teachers about the serious side effects, dangers, and alternatives to anabolic steroids and supplements.
The text of the letter:
Dear Mr. Roberts:
In light of your recent acknowledgement that you used steroids in the past, I believe you are in a unique position to send a strong message out to our young people that they should refrain from using performance enhancing substances. As such, I would like to partner with you to seize this opportunity.
Specifically, I want you to be aware of a unique campaign in our area that has the potential to serve as a national model. In conjunction with St. Joseph Medical Center, I have been involved with the development of Powered By ME!™—an awareness campaign aimed at teaching youth about the dangers of anabolic steroids and performance enhancing supplements. The campaign’s goal is to educate Maryland middle and high school students, parents, coaches and teachers about the side effects, dangers and alternatives to anabolic steroids and supplements.
We have partnered with Orthopaedic Associates, Towson Sports Medicine, Sheppard Pratt Health System, The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt, and St. Agnes HealthCare to achieve this goal. In addition, a blue ribbon panel of volunteer experts who represent coaches, teachers, parents, athletes and medical professionals has been established to support the public service campaign.
I believe that you are in a powerful position to effect change because young people continue to look up to you and want to emulate you as well. I understand that you are already active in the community. Your participation in the Powered By ME!™ campaign, and other efforts like it, would be an extension of your current commitment to community service and would result in positive outcomes for all parties involved.
I look forward to hearing from you on this matter at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Elijah E. Cummings
Member of Congress
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