Crazedlifter
New Member
For Immediate Release
March 1, 2004
Berman Introduces Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Howard L. Berman, House Judiciary Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wisc.), Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr (D-Mich), Rep. John E. Sweeney (R-NY), and Rep. Tom Osborne (R-Neb.) today introduced the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 which would update the list of illegal dangerous substances being marketed as performance enhancers and increase the penalties for those who traffic these substances within 1,000 feet of a sports facility.
Recently, the problem of steroid abuse has gotten new attention because there are indications that high profile athletes in professional sports have widely used steroids. Currently, criminal investigations are active in this area. I am hopeful that these criminal investigations will draw attention to the perils of steroid use and discourage the use of steroids in the next generation of athletes.
Sadly, the almost irresistible lure of easy stardom and fast money glamorizes and encourages use of these substances in professional sports. Steroids can seem necessary to compete at the highest levels, and the quick rewards can outweigh the long term consequences to the users health. Unfortunately, this throw away your future message is reaching down to college and high school athletes. Some evidence suggests it is even starting to trickle down to the middle schools. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated in 1999 that 2.7% of 8th and 10th graders and 2.9% of 12th graders had taken anabolic steroids at least once in their lives.
As quickly as we can outlaw one of these substances, the ugly profiteers and phony dream merchants who traffic in these substances have concocted new substances that are not illegal substances but which provide the same effects. I and my colleagues want to protect our young athletes and encourage them to rely on their own abilities rather than on artificial substances. As a result, we must continuously monitor the substances that are being offered to enhance performance.
The legislation introduced today is a product of hard work and cooperation with Reps. Sensenbrenner, Conyers, Sweeney, and Osborne and is a first step in that effort. It updates the list of illegal dangerous substances being marketed as performance enhancers and increases the potential penalties for those who traffic them within 1000 feet of a sports facility. It will send a clear message to those who would seek to exploit athletes: get out of the sports world now or go to jail.
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March 1, 2004
Berman Introduces Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Howard L. Berman, House Judiciary Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wisc.), Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr (D-Mich), Rep. John E. Sweeney (R-NY), and Rep. Tom Osborne (R-Neb.) today introduced the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 which would update the list of illegal dangerous substances being marketed as performance enhancers and increase the penalties for those who traffic these substances within 1,000 feet of a sports facility.
Recently, the problem of steroid abuse has gotten new attention because there are indications that high profile athletes in professional sports have widely used steroids. Currently, criminal investigations are active in this area. I am hopeful that these criminal investigations will draw attention to the perils of steroid use and discourage the use of steroids in the next generation of athletes.
Sadly, the almost irresistible lure of easy stardom and fast money glamorizes and encourages use of these substances in professional sports. Steroids can seem necessary to compete at the highest levels, and the quick rewards can outweigh the long term consequences to the users health. Unfortunately, this throw away your future message is reaching down to college and high school athletes. Some evidence suggests it is even starting to trickle down to the middle schools. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated in 1999 that 2.7% of 8th and 10th graders and 2.9% of 12th graders had taken anabolic steroids at least once in their lives.
As quickly as we can outlaw one of these substances, the ugly profiteers and phony dream merchants who traffic in these substances have concocted new substances that are not illegal substances but which provide the same effects. I and my colleagues want to protect our young athletes and encourage them to rely on their own abilities rather than on artificial substances. As a result, we must continuously monitor the substances that are being offered to enhance performance.
The legislation introduced today is a product of hard work and cooperation with Reps. Sensenbrenner, Conyers, Sweeney, and Osborne and is a first step in that effort. It updates the list of illegal dangerous substances being marketed as performance enhancers and increases the potential penalties for those who traffic them within 1000 feet of a sports facility. It will send a clear message to those who would seek to exploit athletes: get out of the sports world now or go to jail.
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