The investigation is ongoing and at least two area professional athletes may be involved.
Maj. John Burke, Drug Task Force commander, said last week the original focus started with high school students obtaining the drugs. He also said “the undercover officer said high school folks were definitely involved, but we were never able to identify who they were or what school they were from.”
Dr. Tim Kremchek, team physician for the Cincinnati Reds and four other high schools including Kings, hasn’t seen any cases but believes there could be steroid use at the high school level.
“I hope it’s not, but it may the tip of the iceberg,” Kremcheck said. “It wouldn’t surprise me, but it takes a bust like this for others to come forward.”
He said the overwhelming “pressure to compete for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow can be too much for high school athletes to deal with.”
Kremchek said some athletes may feel using steroids is the only way for enhanced speed and strength because of high expectations placed upon them.
“Most kids aren’t doing this with the blessing of their parents,” Kremchek said. “I think all of us will be looking for it now. Once parents understand the long-term effects, that will raise their concerns and see that it’s not worth the risk.”
Those risks include cancer, high blood pressure and significant heart problems, he said.
While an Ohio High School Athletic Association spokesman said last week it wasn’t interested in doing steroid testing, Kremchek disagreed, saying there should be testing to deter high school students from using these drugs.
He also said the punishment has to be severe to both the athlete and the school because it isn’t fair to the athletes who are clean.
“We may have to get to that point to protect our kids,” he said.
Kremchek said some of the tell-tale signs of steroid use include:
• An abnormal amount of acne.
• Mood swings that include violent tempers.
• Increases in muscle mass as opposed to an athlete’s bone size.
• A significant amount of muscle injuries.
Bob Jacoby, Hamilton High School’s football coach, said any type of drug abuse is a problem, but athletes involved in high school sports are closely monitored by their coaches.
“There’s always the potential for it to happen,” he said. “But I think coaches are more educated and aware of these issues. I don’t think there’s a high school coach out there that would put their kids in jeopardy.”
“I think people should be on their toes and investigate if there are any suspicions,” he said.
As for testing, Jacoby wasn’t sure if school districts were willing “to open that can of worms.” He also cited it may be expensive for districts on tight budgets.
“Nowadays, kids know they’re taking a huge risk if they do it,” Jacoby said. “It’s easier to keep a handle on kids involved in high school athletics.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or Ed.Richter@coxohio.com.
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