By Neal Adams

Steroids are synthetic versions of hormones that the human body produces naturally.

Examples: ◦ Cortisone

◦ Birth Control

◦ Anabolic Steroids

Made from the male hormone testosterone and promote protein synthesis to increase muscle size and strength.

Help your body refuel and recover faster.

Men: ◦ acne, hair growth, raised cholesterol, shrunken

testicles, gynomastica (development of breasts), and lower sperm count.

Women: ◦ Acne, hair growth, deepened voice, and

Amenorrhea (abnormal and painful menstrual periods)

Experts in the DEA, FDA, and AMA testified that steroids do not appear to have long term risk or health impacts. Therefore, by examining the medical side effects of anabolic substances, usage in sports, and in comparison to other drugs, it is clear that the use of these substances is something that the United States Government should not regulate.

In the 1950’s , the U.S. Olympic team heard that the Russian Olympic team had been injecting their athletes with steroids, U.S. scientists created a much stronger steroid that was soon used on American athletes.

Mark McGuire, Jose Conseco, and Sammy Sosa are a few famous players who were large advocates of anabolic steroids in the early 2000’s.

Jose Conseco stated that around 80% of MLB players were taking steroids.

Cortisone Shots ◦ Used by Curt Schilling when pitching

LASIC Eye Surgery ◦ Tiger Woods had surgery to have 20/15 vision

Altitude Chamber ◦ Floyd Landis slept in one to increase red blood cell

count

Steroids allow athletes to receive an unfair advantage on those who do not use the drugs and should therefore be banned.

Steroids can allegedly cause long term side effects that can damage organs and the human body.

The DEA, FDA, and AMA testified that steroids do not appear to have long term risk or health impacts.

No scientific findings have suggested any proof that steroids affect the organs or to cause any mental or health risks.