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Officers of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit led a drug awareness session with DCC Youth Camp participants. The session aimed to create awareness among young people about the dangers and potential risks associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances, as well as their negative effects on health and society. The significance of reinforcing the consequences of illicit substance trafficking.
The prohibition of illicit drug use in sports is emphasised by officers, as it is widely recognised that athletes may resort to the consumption of illegal substances with the intention of obtaining a competitive edge, improving their performance, or for recreational purposes. The officers highlighted that the use of drugs is in violation of the norms and regulations established by sports governing bodies, and can lead to disciplinary measures such as suspensions and disqualifications.
Officers went on to enumerate various instances of illicit drug usage in sports and their consequences, including:
PEDs: While these are not always regarded “illicit” in the sense of being unlawful in ordinary life, they are outlawed in sports. Anabolic steroids, growth hormone, erythropoietin (EPO), and other chemicals used to improve an athlete’s physical abilities are examples of PEDs. The use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) can result in unfair competition, health hazards, and long-term ramifications for athletes.
Recreational Drugs: Some athletes may experiment with drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, or ecstasy. These substances are often prohibited by sporting organisations not only for their possible performance-enhancing benefits, but also for their health dangers and abuse potential.
Doping is the use of banned substances or procedures to improve performance. Doping in sports can include the use of prohibited drugs, blood doping (increased red blood cell count to better oxygen delivery), and other methods of cheating.
Substance misuse: Some athletes may have substance misuse issues that are unrelated to performance enhancement. They may take illegal drugs or abuse legal substances (such as alcohol) for a variety of reasons, such as stress reduction or coping with the expectations of competitive athletics.
It was noted that the struggle against illicit drug use in sports is also about the health and safety of athletes, in addition to ensuring fair competition. Numerous of these substances can cause long-term physical and mental health problems and pose grave health dangers.