Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004
The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 is a significant piece of federal legislation aimed at regulating the use of anabolic steroids in the United States. This law was enacted to address the increasing concerns surrounding steroid use, particularly among young people and athletes seeking enhanced performance. The act expanded the definitions of anabolic steroids to include a broader range of substances related to testosterone and increased legal penalties for their possession and distribution.
In addition to strengthening punitive measures, the 2004 legislation also emphasized the importance of education and research on the risks associated with anabolic steroid use. It allocated federal grants for science-based programs in schools to inform students about the potential health dangers of these substances, which can include serious organ damage and psychological effects. The act built upon previous legislation, such as the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, by more than doubling the list of controlled substances and increasing penalties for violations.
Overall, the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 reflects a proactive approach by the U.S. government to combat steroid abuse and promote public health, while encouraging informed decision-making among youth.
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Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004
DATE: Enacted on October 22, 2004
THE LAW: Federal legislation designed to clarify definitions of anabolic steroids, to provide for research and education activities relating to steroids and steroid precursors, and to expand regulatory and enforcement authority.
SIGNIFICANCE: The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 represented an attempt by the US government to address the growing problem of the use of anabolic steroids, particularly by young people. The law strengthened legal penalties for distribution and possession of these drugs while also encouraging increased education about their dangers for children and adolescents.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic chemicals that mimic the action of the hormone testosterone in the body. They originally found a valued use in maintaining tissue integrity in sufferers of chronic disease. Athletes, however, soon discovered that the muscle-promoting activity of could enhance performance and give them decided advantages over other athletes in competition, and the use of these drugs became pervasive throughout the sporting world. When they found a place among American male teenagers craving larger muscles and better athletic performance, the US Congress took note.
Congress first criminalized the nonmedical use of anabolic steroids by passing the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, which made it clear that anyone illegally possessing these drugs was subject to and prosecution. Under the 1990 act, a first offense of simple possession was punishable by up to one year in prison, a minimum fine of $1,000, or both. The penalties increased for those with previous convictions related to narcotics crimes. The act reserved the most severe penalties for individuals who distributed or dispensed steroids. These activities carried a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Penalties were higher for repeat offenders, and fines could rise to $1,000,000 for defendants that were other than individuals.
Although the 1990 act was an improvement over previous legislation, it did not go far enough. For example, the 1990 act listed only twenty-seven controlled substances; the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 more than doubled that number in addition to stiffening penalties and providing for research and education regarding anabolic steroids. The 2004 act significantly increased the maximum term of imprisonment, fine, and length of supervised release for the manufacture or distribution of anabolic steroids. It also broadened the definition of an anabolic steroid to encompass any drug or hormonal substance chemically related to testosterone. The act specifically excluded estrogens, progestins, corticosteroids, and dehydroepiandrosterone from that list while designating fifty-nine specific drugs as anabolic steroids. Finally, the act encouraged the use of federal grants to carry out science-based education programs in elementary and secondary schools to highlight the harmful effects of anabolic steroids.
Although a great deal of debate continues regarding the negative effects of anabolic steroids, proponents of the 2004 legislation took their lead from studies that had found that these drugs may damage the liver, kidney, heart, and sexual organs. In addition, research has indicated that the use of anabolic steroids by children could prevent them from reaching their full height, and use of the drugs has been associated with outbursts of anger and violence (often referred to as “roid rage”). In recognition of anabolic steroids’ potential for damage, US president George W. Bush called for a “get-tough approach” to steroid abuse in his 2004 State of the Union address. The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 was a step in that direction.
Bibliography
Aretha, David. Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2005.
Biden, Joseph R., et al. "All Information (Except Text) for S.2195 - Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004." Congress.gov, www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/2195/all-info. Accessed 13 Aug. 2024.
Gray, James. Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It: A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2001.
"Implementation of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004." Federal Register, 2005, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/12/16/05-23907/implementation-of-the-anabolic-steroid-control-act-of-2004/. Accessed 13 Aug. 2024. Monroe, Judy. Steroids, Sports, and Body Image: The Risks of Performance-Enhancing Drugs. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2004.
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