In a typical kneejerk reaction by Congress, it appears that they are on the verge of expanding the Controlled Substances Act to include non-addictive human growth hormone. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sponsored the legislation in response to the Mitchell Report’s on performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids and growth hormone in Major League Baseball. The Senators misguided efforts are an attempt to make an example of athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs since they are role models for children. Essentially, the goal of the bill is to protect the children.
“The real tragedy of the Mitchell Report is that it shows how easy it is to beat the system,” Schumer said. “The majority of players named in the report are accused of taking human growth hormone, a drug for which there is currently no reliable test. We have to do everything we can to keep dangerous substances out of young hands. Together, these two bills are a big step in that direction.”
“These bills are a good step at getting at some of the issues we are seeing as athletes of all ages use performance enhancing drugs,” Grassley said. “I’m hopeful that the sports industry will heed the wake up call and do something to deal with this problem. Professional sports figures need to realize that they are role models. It’s time they shape up—without the drugs.”
Ironically, the MAGIC Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to “providing support services to the families of children afflicted with chronic and critical disorders, syndromes, and diseases that affect their growth” is working very hard to make sure that this bill is NOT passed.
Growth hormone is erroneously perceived as a drug used exclusively for physical gain. Growth hormone deficient children need growth hormone to maintain a healthy heart, immune system, and much more other than physical growth.
We ask Congress to vote NO on Senate Bill S877/House Bill 4911 as it currently stands. Provisions must be made to protect children who will be affected. If passed, this bill will be detrimental to children’s health…
It would be unconscionable for Congress to move this legislation without taking into consideration its impact on the families of affected children.
Of course, the grandstanding in Congress over the issue of performance-enhancing drugs has never really been about saving the children.
Please consider signing the petition on the Magic Foundation website to encourage legislators to rewrite the proposed bill to truly reflect the interests of children.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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