Educational Media Reviews Online

This Human Relations Media video and Teacher’s Resource Guide provide a good introduction to the negative side effects of performance enhancing drugs. Interviews with health care providers, parents, and young adult users paint the not-so-rosy picture of what happens physically, emotionally and psychologically to those who use the variety of performance enhancing drugs available today.

Traditionally used to help athletes gain a competitive edge over their opponents, using substances to boost strength and endurance has been in existence for centuries. Today’s athletes are using these substances at a younger age and in some cases, particularly with supplements, not even knowing that they are using something that is potentially dangerous. The video reviews several types of drugs: steroids, supplements, stimulants, diuretics and hormones. It provides a description of what each of these drugs are, what they do in the body and testimonials from those who have either experienced the negative side effects or helped to care for someone who has. It also touches on manipulation by the advertising media and the importance of fair and ethical competition in sports.

Geared towards the teen and young adult audience, Know the Score would be most effectively used in health classes, with sporting teams, and as an introduction to the topic for college level health courses. Highly Recommended.