Experts say that schools should enforce student code of conduct better among athletes

High school athletes are constantly pressured into performing well and winning at all costs. However, this may send the wrong message to those who may dabble in illegal performance-enhancing drugs to get a leg up on the competition.

Officials from the American Athletic Institute recently announced at a conference in Lambeau Field, located in Wisconsin that high school student-athletes may be more likely to experiment with recreational drugs, The Post Crescent reports.

During the conference officials urged nearly 300 coaches, teachers and trainers to enforce the codes of conduct on their student athletes, which includes kicking them off the team if they are found to be in violation. They added that the trend of drug use among these individuals often begins as early as age 12 and could remain through their life if left untreated.

Parents who find their child using drugs may wish to explore summer camps for troubled teens. These program provide recreational activities designed to prevent substance abuse.

According to the 2008 Monitoring the Future survey, 2.2 percent of high school students used anabolic steroids at some point during their lifetime.