Substances and Health
Individuals have used drugs for many years to enhance athletic performance. The drug related deaths of Knud Jensen, a member of the Danish cycling team during the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, and Tommy Simpson the British cyclist during the 1967 Tour de France, brought serious public attention to the health implications of drug use in sports (Sleap, 1998).

Substance abuse is a threat to the mental and physical health of student athletes. When student athletes choose to use substances to enhance performance they are focusing on the short-term benefits. In the long-term this could result in psychological and physical dependence on drugs (Yesalis, 1998).

Substances and Performance
Many substances have been used by student athletes to enhance performance, and obtain a "winning edge" (Tricker and Cook, 1990). Unfortunately, the relative importance that society places on athletic excellence and winning may encourage some student athletes to seek performance enhancing drugs (Voy, 1991).