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Everytime we hear sometimes about Doping – our players testing Positive in Doping Test, we feel bad as a nation.  Then, for a couple of weeks, allegations are hurled over each other. After sometime when the dust settles, we become busy in some other National Passtime Debate –there are so many now-a-days incidentally.

In the latest incident of Doping, there were raids on the chemist shops located outside the National Institute of Sports at Patiala. I wonder if these knee-jerk reactions would help in the long run. After all, we keep on hearing about these Doping incidents quite regularly.
Yesterday I was looking at this news item—Outside Patiala NIS, buy dope off the shelf. No doubt it is an eye-opener.  It enlightens the readers that drugs like Anabolic steroids can be purchased like an OTC drug—without any prescription.
We all know that buying any medicine in any corner of this country is virtually not a problem. That’s why I was thinking that it is not only NIS, there are so many outlets in all the cities and towns where all such “dubious” stuff is freely on-sale.
In the morning, I was trying to follow what Saina Nehwal said about this in today’s Times of India.  When she was asked if she was aware about the availability of banned drugs at medical stores, she said, “ I don’t know because I don’t take it.” However, she felt that lack of awareness about medicines was the major reason behind athletes testing positive for banned drugs in the country.

She further said that it’s really sad they don’t know what they are taking. She said she was sure everyone knows WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) rules, it is very common. They have a website which mentions the banned medicines. She further said that it is just that they don’t know. Many athletes and weightlifters are not very educated so they consume whatever their coaches give,” she said.
I agree with Saina that many athletes are not much educated and  the lack of awareness about consuming these dangerous food supplements (“fortified” with all those banned drugs) lands them into trouble. Had there been awareness, why would anybody take any chances knowing well that they would have to go through Dope Test.
Anyway, that does not absolve anybody of any unfair practice. These Sports Institute are eminent places where these players are required to be made aware of all such stuff.
This was Doping in athletes which comes in light when they are subjected to certain tests. But do we really bother about everyday Doping that is happening in every city and town of this country.  Many of the so-called Gyms patronized by today’s youth get some “Body-Building Powders” from their coaches. Most of such stuff is laced with “banned” drugs but who cares? – They want quick results nevermind  at the cost of their health in the longrun.
Even patients ask for Deca-Durabolin injections just for getting some more “Power”. If a qualified medical practitioner does not oblige him, there are so many “quacks” and some unscrupulous chemist shops who are just waiting for him.
This Doping is just the tip of iceberg— it is just the tip of the bigger problem which is spreading its tentacles so rapidly. Govt is doing its part……but ultimately awareness is the best solution and exemplary punishment to the people selling such stuff (without medical prescription)  just for the sake of making some extra bucks.
Even American Food & Drug Administration keeps on warning its people to stay away from so and so Food supplements etc which are at times found laced with “banned” power-enhancing drugs/anabolic steroids.