Medical Check-ups Before Games: A Must!
Medical check-ups are meant to check whether or not players are fit to play in a particular game. There are tests and check- ups that need to be passed in order for athletes to qualify for their respective events. However, the years of controversies in the sporting world has proven another use for medical check-ups—determining whether or not an athlete is using prohibited drugs. Such violations, if proven to be true, may lead to the dismissal or suspension of a player from any game.
The Effectiveness of Anonymous Testing Among Players
To determine whether or not some players are using steroids or into other forms of drug abuse, one survey called the anonymous testing is being implemented. This is done without giving prior notice to athletes to make sure than they will not be able to detoxify themselves. Random testing or anonymous testing has been found effective in proving a great number of baseball players are on steroids or other drugs. While, this might be a big help; there remains to be issues of violating rights against self- incrimination and privacy.
The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004
In lieu of the fight against drug abuse in the sports world and the combat against steroid use, former President George W. Bush signed the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 which the US Congress have passed. Aside from the already passed law on steroid control, the bill added hundreds of steroid- based drugs and precursors to widen and strengthen the ban on its use in sporting events and of athletes. These drugs are also banned from over the counter sales without prescription. These drugs are also banned in the list of baseball’s list of prohibited drugs to monitor baseball players.
Zero Tolerance for Steroid Use in Baseball
The use of steroids by athletes can be traced back in the late part of the 1950’s in a weightlifting event. Since then, the practice became widespread and has become a very big controversy in the sporting world. Although the practice is considered illegal and in violation of specific sports’ code of ethics, it survived until today and continues to eat out on the very foundation of various sporting events, sports organizations, and even among sports fanatics. And despite the fact that many have already been ousted from the sporting circle because of such practice, there are still those who are rumored to utilize this drug for their advantage.