Anabolic Steroids

Teens have even made up their own slang terms for Anabolic Steroids. Some of these names include "juice", "gum", "candy", "pumpers", and "pops".

"Arnolds", and "Stackers". Such slang terms can be used as "code names" in order to keep them secret from adults or authorities (Santella 613.8).

In the United States, Anabolic Steroids are illegal. The first time a person in the U.S. is caught using steroids, they may get up to ten years in prison, up to a $15,000 fine, and a two year probation period. The second time a person is caught using or selling steroids there is a maximum fine of $30,000, up to two years of probation, and possibly ten years in prison (Monroe 613.8). In Canada and Australia, Anabolic Steroids are not illegal, but are highly discouraged. (Rogak 613.8)

Athletic Associations have taken the subject of Anabolic Steroid use very seriously. Major League Baseball currently enforces a strict code against the use of steroids. For a first positive steroid test, the player caught using the drug is suspended for ten games. For a second positive steroid test, the player caught using the drug is suspended for 100 games. Finally, for a third positive test, the player caught using steroids is given a lifetime ban from baseball. (Espn.com/news)

The National Football League currently enforces rules against steroids that for a positive test, the player caught using the steroids could be suspended for four games (wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League).

The National Collegiate Athletic Association also enforces strict rules against the use of steroids including being suspended from college sports to even being permanently banned. (wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association).

The Olympics currently enforce the harshest penalties of all of the Steroid restrictions. Steroid usage currently could earn the athlete caught using Steroids a lifetime ban and up to $100,000 fine for a minor infraction, and up to a $1,000,000 fine for serious breaches of the rules. (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

Anabolic Steroids were invented accidentally in the 1930s by a team of German scientists, but the drugs were not deemed significant enough for any further study. The first known reference to Anabolic Steroids in a United States weightlifting magazine was in a letter to the editor of the magazine Strength and Health. In the 1950s, scientists of the Food and Drug Administration approved the steroid called methandrostelone in the United States. (wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_Steroids)

In the 1990s counterfeit drugs became easier to detect using new technology. In 1991, the U.S. Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act that prohibits the use and sale of anabolic steroids defined as any drug or hormonal substance chemically or pharmeceutically related to testosterone that promotes muscle growth. Most illicit anabolic steroids are sold at competitions, at gyms, or on the internet, and those substances are usually smuggled into the United States. On January 20, 2005 controlled substance act went into effect. This law made possession of anabolic steroids a federal crime. (wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_Steroids)

People in general use steroids in order gain a competitive edge over athletes, self-confidence, and to get money or other financial gains. "Anabolic Steroids are used by track and field athletes, weight lifters, body builders, shot putters, cyclists, professional baseball players, professional wrestlers, police officers, and others who have a physical advantage, perhaps from a more fortunate natural endowment of endogenous steroids or from steroid use as well." (wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_Steroids)

Steroid Testing is used to find if someone is using steroids, and are especially common in sports. Although there is no completely accurate steroid test, most of the different tests administered are over 99% accurate. This is why steroid penalties in sports are often disputed between players and officials. Due to the fact that there are no absolutely accurate tests, a player can be wrongly accused of using steroids in sports, which could result in suspension or expellation from the game and large monetary fines. (wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_Steroids)

There are many myths that surround Anabolic Steroids. Myths about Steroids include that if you do take them, that you definitely will gain muscle mass. This myth is false. A person must do exercise in order to gain muscle mass, and even then steroids may not have any effect. Another myth is that the only risk in taking anabolic steroids is that a person can only get diseases or problems that are directly caused by the steroids themselves. This myth is also false. A person who takes steroids could get other diseases or infections as well, especially in the case of using intravenous steroids. Using those can give the person taking them Hepatitis B or AIDS. Some other myths include that people that only use them once in while can't have problems, and another is that a person can cheat steroid tests by eating certain foods or certain items. None of those myths are true, although some foods have been known to skew the results of a steroid test. (Rogak 613.8)

In Conclusion, using steroids is a dangerous, high-risk activity that could pay off big with large muscles, physical strength, or the competitive edge, but with harmful or even deadly side effects that could destroy your body.

Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, "I am not a steroid abuser. It's like putting poison in your body." (brainyquote.com)

The current governor of California gives wise words. Although Anabolic Steroids can improve body size, using Anabolic Steroids would be too risky of a move to take because it puts one's health in serious jeopardy.