New Jersey Students Could Learn About PEDs in School

Last year’s National League MVP Ryan Braun has been banned for the rest of the season for testing positive in having used PEDs, or performance enhancing drugs.

It’s nothing new, but the controversy is front and center, especially in Major League Baseball as it involves some of the games brightest stars.

Next up is Alex Rodriguez and the whole controversy surrounding his alleged use.

Do kids know enough about PEDs since they’re bombarded with the news of their use; or do students, especially student athletes need to be made award not only of their use, but of the collateral damage they could cause with continued use?

My gut tells me that the school has become the surrogate parent to kids for most anything having to do with their upbringing.

Bullying, sex ed, etc. Show me something the school isn’t teaching regarding interpersonal relationships or morality and I’ll bet you at some point someone in our legislature already has a plan to introduce it to the curriculum.

According to this report from Townsquare's Kevin McArdle:

One New Jersey lawmaker says because a lot of kids look up to pro athletes, maybe it’s time students should be taught about the dangers of PEDs.

New Jersey already tests high school athletes for steroids. State Senator and former Governor Dick Codey spearheaded the effort to make that the law. Requiring schools to talk about PEDs in gym class is a good idea too according to Codey.

“It’s something I think we’ve got to look at,” says Codey. “Maybe something within physical education…Absolutely and I think I’m going to speak to a bill drafter and have that drafted up and introduced as soon as possible.”

Most sports fans have been hearing about steroids since the 1970s and early 80s. PEDs and Human Growth Hormones (HGH) are now big in the news. Multiple Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has finally admitted he used them and Major League Baseball is now relentlessly pursuing players suspected of taking them.

“Schools should include this in a message about performance enhancing drugs and how bad they are for you,” says Codey. “It would be part of the curriculum because phys ed is mandated.”

This wouldn’t be a heavy lift predicts Codey and he says he wouldn’t have to cost taxpayers a dime.

“Instead of just rolling out balls and having the kids shoot baskets or play volleyball or whatever, a lecture on performance enhancing drugs I think is very important,” explains Codey.

So let’s review: “New Jersey already tests high school athletes for steroids.”

Which means what? That they’re already learning about the use of PEDs and what they can do.

The former Governor is right about saying a lecture in gym class wouldn’t take up too much time and wouldn’t cost much; but don’t you feel it’s overkill what with PEDs in the news along with steroid testing already in place?

The senator has all the best intentions, but needs to save his time and concern himself with other matters.

I’m sure he can find them.