THE WARNING SIGNS
According to Dr. Gary Wadler, an expert on performance-enhancing drugs, there are clues that a child might be using steroids
Parents should look for a series of "more thans" – when a child or teen seems to be more irritable than normal, more aggressive, has more acne (particularly on the back), can't get away from the mirror. Remember, though, there are normal kids who have a lot of acne and who can't get away from the mirror, so it's really raising the index of suspicion. Along with any extreme change in body appearance, wide mood swings and a falloff in schoolwork – because kids are constantly at the gym – should raise a question. Does the child seem to be overly indulging in supplements? Is your child obsessed with body-building Web sites? A parent knows a child. If you're thinking about it, you'd better check it out. Encourage a dialogue on the subject. Because of all the attention this has gotten in the news, it's not hard to start a nonconfrontational conversation and see where it leads.
• By BILL HEWITT. ANNE DRISCOLL in Swampscott, Mass., DARLA ATLAS in Plano, EVE HEYN in New York and MELODY SIMMONS in Washington, D.C.
