Most Americans Think Steroid Use is Common in Sports December 17, 2003
News Summary
A New York Times poll finds that 43 percent of Americans think at least half of the athletes playing professional sports are using performance-enhancing drugs, the New York Times reported Dec. 16.On the other hand, the poll found that only 18 percent of those surveyed believed at least 50 percent of American Olympic athletes use banned performance-enhancing drugs.
The poll found that while 75 percent of those surveyed were concerned about steroid use among Olympic athletes, just 61 percent were disturbed about such drug use among professional athletes.
The survey revealed that older adults are more troubled about the use of performance-enhancing drugs than younger adults. According to the poll, 41 percent of those surveyed under age 30 were not overly concerned about professional athletes using steroids, compared with 34 percent of those age 30 and older.
In addition, young people think steroid use is widespread. With respect to pro sports, 55 percent of those under age 30 believed the problem was extensive, compared with 40 percent of older adults.
The telephone poll was conducted Dec. 10 through 13 and was based on responses from 1,057 adults from throughout the country.
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