Survey: Teen attitudes on 'roids, HGH

In February Sports Illustrated surveyed 512 randomly selected teenagers, ages 12 to 17, about their use of and attitudes toward steroids and HGH.

• Eight percent of the respondents (10 percent of the boys and 5 percent of the girls) said they knew another teen who had tried steroids.

• Older teens (ages 15 to 17) were four times more likely than younger teens (ages 12 to 14) to know someone who had tried steroids (12 percent versus 3 percent).

• Among teens who play organized sports, 97 percent said they would not try steroids or HGH even if they knew the substances would make them better athletes.

• Of the remaining 3 percent -- all boys -- one-third said they would try steroids or HGH and two-thirds said they might.

• Among the teens who said they would not try steroids or HGH to make them better athletes, 59 percent said it was because "they are harmful to my body."

• Only 1 percent percent of the respondents said they would try steroids or HGH if they knew the substances would make their bodies look more impressive.

• Fifty-one percent of those who would not try steroids or HGH to make their bodies look more impressive said it was because "they are harmful to my body."

• Thirty percent of teens believe that most professional athletes use steroids or HGH, while 43 percent do not; 9 percent said they didn't know.

• Thirty-five percent of the boys believe that most pro athletes use steroids or HGH compared with 24 percent of the girls.

• Ninety-nine percent of teens said that hearing that some professional baseball and football players took steroids or HGH did not make them more interested in trying the substances.

• Eighty-three percent of teens believe that professional athletes should be punished for taking steroids or HGH.