Houston athletes join to fight steriod use

In hopes to discourage the use of performance enhancing drugs among high schoolers, a local campaign featuring four prominent local athletes kicked off today. The campaign, called “Be Smart. Stay Drug Free” was spearheaded by Dynamo president and general manager Oliver Luck, and features Dynamo midfielder Brian Ching, Astros left fielder Carlos Lee, Rockets forward Tracy McGrady, and Texans tackle Eric Winston.

The campaign arrives on the heels of the recently passed Senate Bill 8, which requires random steroid drug testing for students involved in UIL sports. That bill was sponsored by state senator Kyle Janek from Houston. He supports the campaign, knowing that kids are more likely to listen to athletes and “not too many high school kids are going to care much about what a state lawmaker said.”

Steriod use among 12th grade boys almost doubled from 1992 to 2003. Many think this is due to the news exposure of professional athletes accused of abusing the drug.