Today, it was released that drug paraphernalia and cocaine was found in Rod Beck's home. Ultimately, it was cocaine that did in Ken Caminiti, the former Houstan Astros great, and not steroids. Drugs like cocaine and heroine are the downfall of many other athletes as well. Some are fortunate enough to survive these addictive drugs, but for many others their careers are cut short and sometimes their lives. It was rumored that Beck used cocaine daily, and at least this police report seems to substantiate this sordid detail.
Daryl Strawberry's career was ruined by this infamous white powder. Lawrence Taylor, Michael irvin, and many others wrestled with this addiction. We will never know just how much better either of those two men may have been if they were not in the grasp of cocaine. Irvin may have had several more seasons and an ESPN job if he could stay away from this drug, but he could not. Len Bias should have had a great NBA career with the Celtics and Roy Tarpley would be a millionaire if not for cocaine.
How many times do we hear about steroid abuse ruining a player's career, but in my opinion there are many other drugs which are more troublesome because of their addictive properties. Every time I hear of a young athlete who dies during spring training, football practice, or basketball pick up games, I immediately suspect drugs and/or alcohol abuse. My mind never wonders if it was caused by steroids, but maybe that is just me. Usually we find an athlete was taking drugs, drinking and operating a vehicle, or some combination of these deadly drugs. Steroids is the exception to the rule. Situations like Chris Benoit do not happen every day, but drunk athletes behind the wheel of a car is all too common. (For that matter, normal people struggle with these addictions as well, it just seems athletes and celebreties make the news more often.)
My hope is not to minimize steroid abuse, but to put it into proper perspective. Illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroine threaten more than a HR record. They actually threaten the lives of our young people.
Today, it was released that 
Daryl Strawberry's career was ruined by this infamous white powder. Lawrence Taylor, Michael irvin, and many others wrestled with this addiction. We will never know just how much better either of those two men may have been if they were not in the grasp of cocaine. Irvin may have had several more seasons and an ESPN job if he could stay away from this drug, but he could not. Len Bias should have had a great NBA career with the Celtics and Roy Tarpley would be a millionaire if not for cocaine.
How many times do we hear about steroid abuse ruining a player's career, but in my opinion there are many other drugs which are more troublesome because of their addictive properties. Every time I hear of a young athlete who dies during spring training, football practice, or basketball pick up games, I immediately suspect drugs and/or alcohol abuse. My mind never wonders if it was caused by steroids, but maybe that is just me. Usually we find an athlete was taking drugs, drinking and operating a vehicle, or some combination of these deadly drugs. Steroids is the exception to the rule. Situations like Chris Benoit do not happen every day, but drunk athletes behind the wheel of a car is all too common. (For that matter, normal people struggle with these addictions as well, it just seems athletes and celebreties make the news more often.)
