NIAAA Delegate Assembly Adopts Position on Studnet Use of Performance Enhancing Substances

The 2005 NIAAA Delegate Assembly (the legislative body of the organization) at its meeting in Orlando, Florida adopted the following resolution with regard to student athletes and performing enhancing substances.

PERFORMANCING ENHANCING SUBTANCES RESOLUTION (December, 2005)

WHEREAS the NIAAA believes that interscholastic athletics are an integral part of the total education program, and

WHEREAS the NIAAA believes in safeguarding the health and welfare of all student-athletes, and

WHEREAS in 1989 by resolution the NIAAA stated its opposition to the use of anabolic steroids by high school student athletes, and

WHEREAS the NIAAA believes that the use of performance enhancing substances such as, but not limited to, androestrene, human growth hormone, creatine, DHEA, and ephedra, to enhance athletic performance is unethical, and

WHEREAS there exists extensive evidence that continued use of such performance enhancing substances may contribute to the development of heart disease, liver disease, sterility, violent and aggressive behavior, depression, and other adverse physical reactions,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the NIAAA joins with other groups and organizations in opposition to any use of performance enhancing substances by all student athletes, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NIAAA joins with the National Federation of High Schools in a concentrated effort to properly educate all student athletes as to the dangers and harmful effects of performance enhancing substances.