Athletes And Performance Enhancement Drugs

Submitted By jenallen04
Words: 1925
Pages: 8
Open Document
Athletes and Performance Enhancement Drugs Why do athletes revert to drug usage as a way to enhance their skill? I believe once a player subjects himself to this synthetic enhancer, it takes away the credit of calling or classifying a great player as having “natural” talent. Some athletes are blinded by the instant gratification of being on top that they will do anything to get to that point. As much as one loves what he/ she does for a living, is it valid to disgrace and erase all integrity derived from the actual skill and passion? Depending on the viewpoint, one can argue that the motive behind taking this drug can actually be considered ethical as oppose to the negativity that comes with taking the drug itself. Now I am a fair believer of being empathetic to one’s situation or circumstances, and to be fair some of the athletes mentioned in certain articles may have had a valid reason for taking performance enhancing drugs. The question that remains is what was each athlete’s true motive behind taking these drugs? Is it what the majority of society believes to be the reason of believing these drugs would truly enhance their performance? Is there some covert addiction one encounters from taking these drugs? Jose Conseco was a prominent athlete that admitted in taking steroids; according to his interview with 60 minutes, his motive was to do whatever it took in order to become the best baseball player in the world. He blatantly, admits that steroids aided in making him a better athlete. He admits in having no shame in taking this illegal drug and also no shame in providing counseling to other athletes who inquired about the use of steroids. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/05/60minutes/main761932.shtml). Manny Ramirez’s, who was also a professional baseball player, motives were stated to be because of personal health issues. (http://www.pharmacytechs.net/blog/top-10-performance-enhancing-drugs). The couple of motives mentioned above were valid reasons to each athlete. Both admitted to unashamedly to taking drugs in order to advance in life and to become a better player. Although these drugs were considered illegal, the usage according to both players was used in order to produce a more important good. In theory, William Shaw would more so not look at these two athletes’ habits as unethical due to the reasoning behind it. Their motives were to better themselves and rationally, they would do whatever it took to stay on top and better their craft. Shaw states “reason giving is essential to the nature of morality” (Arthur 40). Granted the actual action (according to society) is illegal and wrong, but the athletes’ motives were right (according to what each individual thought to be right). In hindsight, can we as a society actually accuse them of wrong if their motive was to produce something considered to be good? Leading to the next question/subject at hand, even though performance enhancing drugs are considered illegal, will there be situations to approve the usage of them if it aids in the intent of pleasing the majority? Looking at it from a Utilitarian point of view “actions are right if the intent is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number” (Arthur 66), if one’s actions were performed in an attempt to make the majority happy, then that performance wouldn’t be considered unethical. In an athlete’s defense on using illegal drugs, the pressure of being the best, trying to perform at a level to help out the team, trying to maintain the heroic image bestowed upon fans, can really drive an individual to do any and everything it takes in order to please everyone. In order to keep fans happy, winning has to be consistent, the team has to have really amazing players; if there is something medical that can aid an individual to be that idea character or key player, it is understandable why these athletes resort to these habits. To take it a step further would it be considered heroic or
Show More

Related Documents: Athletes And Performance Enhancement Drugs

Drug and Alcohol Usage Essay

to 90 of alcohol 14 years and over have tried alcohol and 50% of female and 70% males use it regularly. 70% of Australians have tried tobacco, 40% cannabis and 2% amphetamine. 2. 18 years in Australia, 20 NZ, 21 USA. 3. Alcohol is responsible of drug related death in this age group followed by tobacco. 4.Alcohol is a depressant and slows the brain and reactions down. 5. Drinking to much alcohol can resolve in alcohol overdose, fighting and vomiting. 6. Binge drinking leads to a greater risk…

Words 509 - Pages 3

What Makes Us Normalize Drug Usage?

Elizabeth, I agree that television as a whole normalizes drug usage and at times it is exaggerated. For example, certain shows may show an actor take multiple drugs at a time including alcoholic beverages but in the real world it may cause death. Another concern are the advertisements in relation to prescriptions drugs, tobacco and alcohol that are legal. These types of advertisements influence the viewers. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics research, those who are in charge of advertising…

Words 489 - Pages 2

Decriminalization of Drugs Essay

"Over the past 41 years, the constant and geometric expansion of America's longest war- the war one drugs- has led us to incarcerate more of our citizens than any other country." Today I'm going to talk about drug policies currently in place, and a way in which we can improve them. For years now prohibition has been used in order to eliminate the drug problem in our country. However, so far, it has not provided us with the results we have wanted… As the past shows, policies of prohibition…

Words 723 - Pages 3

Research Paper On How To Use Drugs

prescription-type drugs such as Xanax, Percocet and oxycontin and 1 percent used marijuana. A very good way to prevent teens from using drugs would be to state the dangers and effects of such drugs. With 14 or 15 year olds, marijuana was the most commonly used drug at which studies shown 5 percent of all teens used. It also was the most commonly used drug among 16 or 17 year olds at 12.5 percent. These readings were recorded in 2008 and the number has significantly dropped since. The most popular drug among…

Words 466 - Pages 2

How Does Cocaine Affect The Brain

when a cocaine addict sees or hears environmental stimuli that trigger the craving for cocaine. Brain structure can physically change and affect behavior through certain kinds of experiences, such as those involved in learning. Exposure to stimulant drugs such as cocaine can impair the ability of specific brain cells to change as a consequence of experience. According to Dr. Nora D. Volkow the NIDA Director, the ability…

Words 1338 - Pages 6

Drug Abuse Research Paper

Alfageme Professor Tayra Inchino English III 20 January 2013 Drug Abuse Drugs are commonly used in the United States. As the number of drug addicts increase, the demand for drugs is greater. Individuals who want to consume drugs range from teenagers to middle aged adults. Even though drug selling and trafficking generates a lot of revenue, the government is mainly concerned with the consequences of drug abuse. As drug usage increases, the government is trying to decrease this action by having…

Words 708 - Pages 3

Drug Legalization Paper

University of Pittsburgh Drug Laws: Fascism or Necessity? Is the War on Drugs Hurting More than Helping? Gabriel Naccarato Advanced Topics in Criminology 1265 Dr. Ernest L. Fullerton October 2, 2014 Outline 1. The war on drugs, while keeping the public in mind, hurts more than helps Shaky, problematic history of drug legalization The costs of the war on drugs Decriminalization in Portugal Benefits of legalization 2. A problematic history make drug illegalization less viable Racist, religiously…

Words 2373 - Pages 10

Philosophy Analytical Paper

Analytical Paper November 7, 2014 Legalization Versus The Illegalization of Marijuana Marijuana is also called cannabis, which is a plant an herb that contains psychotropic ingredients that is mostly used as a drug. This drug and herb has been used medically for centuries all over the world. The usage is for medical purposes and treatments for diseases and symptoms of illnesses. Marijuana is a substance that can be viewed as both beneficial and harmful. It is debatable to legalize marijuana in developed…

Words 570 - Pages 3

Anabolic Steroids Be Banned

should not use them but many people are unaware of just how dangerous these drugs can be. I chose this topic because I recognize that we live in a society that only celebrates success and greatness, but we do not want to acknowledge just how that sort of pressure tears away at our people and causes them to be unhealthy due to the belief that you will only be accepted if you are a winner. Many athletes have turned to the usage of anabolic steroids because they are blinded by what they deem the pros…

Words 345 - Pages 2

Why Do People Use Steroids In Sports

people abusing the drug, there have been over 20 cases of people being banned from their sport for the usage of the drug. One of the biggest cases that has happen in the past years is, the Mark Mcgwire case. Mark was one of the most powerful hitters ever to step on the diamond of a baseball field even before he started using steroids. Once the steroid use came into his life, he hit more homeruns than any other person in baseball in the 8 year stretch. Mark was caught using the drug in the summer of…

Words 867 - Pages 4