Use Of Steriods Can Be Fatal - Dr Ramlan

By AHMAD MULIADY B HJ ABDUL MAJID KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Athletes who take illegal drugs as a shortcut to achieve success are actually facing the risk of death, without their knowledge. Taking prohibited drugs, whether to improve performance, as tranquilizers or to strengthen the body, not only can damage their future as an athlete but in the long term can be fatal. So, it is not surprising when we hear news reports that former middle-aged athletes who may seem healthy and have never had any serious health problems suddenly reported dead. The National Sports Institute (ISN) Director General Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said taking steroids such as Anabolic, would also cause damages to the heart, kidney, liver and genitals. "Although the purpose of consumption is to strengthen the muscles, this type of drugs can easily cause muscle tear," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama Tuesday. Among prohibited substances used by athletes in Malaysia are Drostanolone Metabolite (performance booster), Metandienone Metabolite (build muscles), propranonol (tranquilizer) and Anabolic steroids (muscle builder). Dr Ramlan, who has over 22 years experience in the field of medicine and sports science, said taking illegal drugs can not only affect their health but can also cause negative impact, psychologically. "Psychologically athletes will be more aggressive than usual and they can be short-tempered, insubordinate and not able to be rationale or considerate, leading to arguments with friends and coaches," he said. Dr Ramlan said it would not be worth anything if athletes are willing to forego their moral obligations to the sport, country and their families by retorting to the use of drugs, just to win medals. He said drugs in sport not only affects the athlete's health but can also cause great damage to the sports society, athletes coaches, sports bodies and all those involved. Dr Ramlan said doping in sports was not new because the use of performance enhancing products has been in existence since the ancient Olympics. "Athletes at the time tried to find a niche in a short period to beat their competitors by using leaves, roots, spices and animal organs that can provide remarkable advantages to them," he said. He said all of this was a result of dishonesty and greed. Dr Ramlan said though statistics show that less than one percent of Malaysian athletes are involved in drug abuse, it does not mean that it is not a big problem for the sports community. "As such, ISN, together with other sports agencies like the National Sports Council, the national sports associations and authorities, need to join forces to fight the menace," he said. Dr Ramlan said the Youth and Sports Ministry had also taken serious measures to address the problem by setting up the Malaysia Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) in 2005. He said in the eyes of the world, especially the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Malaysia had a very high reputation but it was unfortunate that some national athletes are involved with prohibited drugs. -- BERNAMA