Renew focus on abuse of performance drugs

Several National Football League players have been accused of domestic abuse. The child abuse is being explained as the result of an attempt to impose discipline, using methods the perpetrator says were used on him while growing up. Spousal abuse is harder to explain away, and sadly the abused partner often "forgives," accepting a role in the abuse and staying in the relationship.

Completely absent from this discussion has been the effect of performance enhancing drugs such as steroids and testosterone. Such medications help athletes become bigger, stronger and more aggressive, all qualities that help them to be better football players.

These changes, sadly, would also contribute to the violence present in domestic abuse. The league insists that it has a strict anti-drug policy, enforced with frequent testing. We all know that drug testing becomes not unlike a game of Whac-A-Mole as new medications appear along with ingenious ways to corrupt the test results. When millions of dollars are at stake, there is an incentive to appear drug free.

I'm not convinced that all domestic abuse can be attributed to an abused childhood or momentary loss of temper against a spouse. The question of drug-enhanced rage must be examined. The lack of consideration being given to this is quite troubling and makes one think that the league has a mortal fear of the outcome and the repercussions.

Karen Wagner

Rolling Meadows