What about this Hooton guy?

I was going to start a topic about this same thing. He uses lines like "All the evidence I need is in those pictures behind you." So a picture of your son who's dead is evidence that steroids killed him and not antidepressants?

I mean, not like I'd know what it's like to bury a son, so I'll grant him whatever helps him get by. But I can't imagine being that self deluded. Not that it's impossible that steroids played a role either, but the guy clearly has no interest in finding out for real. Tough to watch.

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Wait, where do I sign?

I certainly feel bad for his loss, but he reminded me of the parents who sued Judas Priest for their sons suicide.

Almost all antidepressants have an associated risk of suicide, but since they are used in treating depression, it becomes a chicken-egg scenario. There's no way to prove if the suicide was a result of the initial depression, or a result of the altered chemistry from the drug.

We also are very limited in what was going on in the boys life. Was he experimenting with other drugs? Had he gone through a painful breakup? Was he bullied? Struggling with his sexuality? All these things can play a major influence on a person who attempts suicide. It's much easier to pick a villain and place blame.

He's typical of the parent who becomes a crusader for some half-thought out cause based on hysteria, pseudo-science and other nonsense used as a guise to cover his excruciating guilt about his real and imagined failings as a parent. I feel sorry for the guy but in a pathetic kind of way, much as I would for a drunk in the gutter who's been dealt a particularly rotten hand in life. But my sympathy falls short of my anger and disgust because his emotional histrionics are dangerous and, very unfortunately, help to set policy and laws that affect millions in an unnecessarily adverse way. Considering there are millions in the US who actively use and abuse steroids for personal, athletic and cosmetic reasons (go to just about any gym in the US and you'll see many examples EVERY day of steroid users), if steroids were even remotely as dangerous as claimed the bodies from deaths and suicides would be stacked sky high. Yet, "experts" can only cite Hooton's kid who was on a variety of other drugs, including a psychotropic for clinical depression (HELLOOOOOO!), as the shinning example of the dangers of steroids.

This is a great documentary and got to me to think rationally about what I previously considered a dangerous drug. I have been an avid athlete and weightlifter my whole life but have not used steroids as I never competed and saw no need to go beyond my natural limitations. Nor do I think the steroid look and massive musculature particularly attractive or necessary for myself. BUT what others choose or want to do is frankly none of my business. As well, should you compete in virtually any sport (including at almost all adult amateur levels) you will be at a serious disadvantage if you don't use some sort of performance enhancing technique, including steroids and other methods.

It's sad that of the dozens of doctors who testified before congress stating that steroids were not the monstrous bugaboo as claimed, congress naturally discounted their testimony until they found a nitwit, hysterical doctor who agreed with their agenda. It's also sad and maddening that good ol' Carl Lewis was using performance enhancing drugs and he won the gold medal by default when Ben Johnson was disqualified for steroids. But, as the US' own doping watchdog at the time has said he was really there to cover up the US athlete's drug use. Considering the US is largely a nation of hysterics and hypocrites our steroid and other drug policy will most likely reign for a long, long time.

It is unfortunate that the father didn't take all measures into account when choosing what to blame for his son's suicide. Was it the SSRIs or the steroids or other life factors? Probably a combination of all three.

What was sort of shocking to me was when Chris asked Mr. Hootan about whether or not the stadiums should be serving alcohol or have an alcohol awareness day since so many people did due to alcohol use (this after Mr. Hootan talked about a "Steroid Awareness Day" at baseball parks). And he basically biffed in his response. I think it's pretty obvious alcohol is the greater evil when compared with steroids.

I enjoyed this film, it definitely put the whole steroid controversy into a new light. I'm still again steroids. I think Chris was either bias or ignorant when it came to finding the side effects of steroids. They're more damaging than Chris made them out to be.

Hooton was a sad case of emotion overriding reason (which is justifiable, given his situation). But the statements he made regarding the effects of anti-depressants and alcohol came off as downright ignorant.

Every time Michael Cole tries to be cool, an orphan dies.

I have to echo what some people are saying that I totally agree. Instead of looking for his part in what happened to his son, he wants all of the blame to fall on someone or something else. Teens are depressed because there are so many changes going on and for the first time they feel a lot of pressure to live up to too much. But Hooten can't see in front his own face. Wanna bet he is getting some kick backs as some sort of spokesperson? Profiting off of his own son's death? That defines disrespect.

With a father like that I'd kill myself too.

How did his son die?
I know it was suicide but cant see anywhere by what means. I find it interesting that it does not seem to be disclosed.