Media release

From the Director

Persistent reports of anabolic steroid abuse by professional athletes, many of whom are regarded as role models by young people, highlight the fact that we are now facing a very damaging message in our society—that bigger is better, and being the best is more important than how you get there.

Abuse of anabolic steroids differs from the abuse of other illicit substances because the initial abuse of anabolic steroids is not driven by the immediate euphoria that accompanies most drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, but by the desire of abusers to change their appearance and performance, characteristics of great importance to adolescents. The effects of steroids can boost confidence and strength, leading abusers to overlook the potential serious and long-term damage that these substances can cause.

While anabolic steroids can enhance certain types of performance or appearance, they are dangerous drugs, and when used inappropriately they can cause a host of severe, long-lasting, and in some cases, irreversible negative health consequences. Anabolic steroids can lead to early heart attacks, strokes, liver tumors, kidney failure, and serious psychiatric problems. In addition, because steroids are often injected, users who share needles or use nonsterile techniques when they inject steroids are at risk for contracting dangerous infections, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C.

I hope that students, parents, teachers, coaches, and others will take advantage of the information about anabolic steroids found on the NIDA Web site (www.steroidabuse.gov) and join us in our prevention and education efforts. Participating in sports offers many benefits, but young people and adults should not take unnecessary health risks in an effort to win.

New York Times/Steroid Report Implicates Key Players

This report is also available in PDF format, Steroid Abuse and Addiction, [PDF format, 440 KB]

NJLA Blog Source

FILIPEK, ALFREDA M.
(Nee Wroniuk) on December 11, 2007 of Bellmawr. Age 91.
Beloved wife of the late Frank S. Devoted mother of Frank R. Filipek and his wife Bernadette of Bellmawr and the late Ronald Filipek of TN. Loving grandmother of Frank, Jr., Dawn Gillis, Debbie Foster, Eric Filipek and Beth Suits. Dear great grandmother of Emily, Jake, Brayden, Payton, Reese, Parker and Sydney Beth.
Mrs. Filipek was a member of the St. Joseph\’s Holy Rosary Society, Polish American Congress, the St. Joseph\’s Sacred Heart, the Polish American Citizens Club, the Bellmawr Senior Citizens Club, the St. Joseph\’s Senior Citizens Club and the Bellmawr Democrat Club.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing Friday evening from 7 to 9pm and Saturday morning from 8:15 to 9:15am at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Mass Saturday morning 10am Annunciation BVM Church, Bellmawr. Interment St. Joseph\’s Cemetery, Chews Landing. If desired donations may be made in Alfreda\’s memory to the St. Joseph\’s Polish Catholic Church, 1010 Liberty Street, Camden, NJ 08104. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to Condolences@Gardner FuneralHome.com

DEVOE, ELLA M.
On December 10, 2007 (nee Reichenbach) of the Lutheran Home of Moorestown, and formerly a lifelong resident of Gloucester City, NJ, age 89 years.
She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond E. DeVoe, Sr., the loving mother of Jere P. DeVoe, Sr. (Jane) of Audubon and the late Raymond, Jr. and Douglas DeVoe and dear grandmother of 6 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Mrs. DeVoe was a former member of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fairview (Camden), where she also taught Sunday School for many years. She was also a former employee of Cooper Hospital having worked in the Cardiac Unit.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the CRERAN FUNERAL HOME, 400 White Horse Pike in Oaklyn. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am at Ascension Lutheran Church, 4th and Highland Ave., Haddon Heights, NJ. Interment to follow Cedar Grove Cemetery, Gloucester City. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Lutheran Home of Moorestown, 255 E. Main St Moorestown, NJ 08057.

HOLLOWAY, VIRGINIA
(Nee-Shivers) On December 10, 2007, of Audubon, NJ. Age 79 years.
Beloved wife of the late William R. Holloway. Dear sister of Frank (Betty) Shivers and Anne Rentz. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Shivers.
Mrs. Holloway was a member of the Haddonfield Chapter #140 OES and an employee of over 44 years with Campbell Soup Co. Camden, NJ.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Graveside Service Friday 2 PM at Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, NJ.Arrangements by the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, Audubon, NJ

CELLUCCI, KATHY ROSE

(nee Vena), of Haddon Twp., peacefully on Dec. 9, 2007, age 52 years.
Beloved wife of Lawrence D. Cellucci; devoted mother of Cory D. Cellucci; daughter of Anthony Vena & his wife, Mary of Marlton and Patricia Finley of Collingswood; daughter-in-law of Mary C. Cellucci of Erial & the late John D. Cellucci, Sr.; sister of Wayne Vena, Robert (Donna) Symons, Keith (Jackie) Symons, Shawn (Robin) Vena, Donna (Steven) Bursell & Antionette (Ron) Obermeier; sister-in-law of Barbara (Wayne) Ryan, Bernadette(Lloyd Humphrey) Cellucci, Karen (Brian) Waters, Diane (Donald) Reckeweg & Michelle (James) Kennedy.
Kathy was a member of Collingswood High School Class of \’73 and was awarded a B.A. in Education from Temple Uv. Mrs. Cellucci taught 6th Grade at the Tatem School in Collingswood.
Viewing & Funeral Friday at 5PM in BLAKE-DOYLE FUNERALHOME, 226 Collings Ave., Collingswood. Funeral Service at 8 PM.
The family suggests donation in Kathy\’s memory to: Kathy Cellucci Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Tatem School, 265 Lincoln Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108.

YATES, JOHN W.
On December 10, 2007, of Mt. Ephraim. Age 85.
Beloved husband of Elia T. (nee Corda). Devoted father of Arlene (Tom) Murphy, Shirley (Stephen) LeBano and Andrea (Timothy) Andrews. Loving grandfather of Christine, Lauren, Richard,Stephanie and Rachel.
There will be a viewing from 8:45 to 9:45am Friday morning at Sacred Heart RC Church, 11 N. Black Horse Pike, Mt. Ephraim. Funeral Mass 10am in church. Interment New St. Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. Family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in Mr. Yates\’ memory to Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Failure Center, C/O The Lourdes Health Foundation, 1600 Haddon Ave., Camden, NJ 08103. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to Condolences @GardnerFuneralHome.com.