Anabolic steroids were first developed in the 1930s and were designed to treat males who suffered from low testosterone. Steroids were found to have other effects, including the expediting of muscle growth. This effect has since been exploited by athletes and bodybuilders who seek to gain an unfair advantage over their competition. However, this abuse does not come without harsh consequences.

History

Throughout history, steroid use has been a quick fix for problems that should have been handled with more concern. For example, the German government gave steroids to their troops during the second World War in order to improve their performance. Steroids were also given to prisoners of the Germans as they starved the prisoners and fed them steroids in order to keep them alive. At the same time, the Germans used this practice as a way to study the effects of steroids on the human body. Animals have not been free from mistreatment due to steroid abuse as many laboratory experiments have been conducted in order study the effects of steroids on the body.

Regulatory Action

After it was discovered that steroids could improve athletic performance, many individuals turned to the drug to help them gain a competitive edge. As a result, many athletic records are tainted. The Olympic games have been subject to numerous controversies throughout the years concerning athletes and steroid use. Due to the harmful long term effects of steroids and the unfair advantage it gives to one individual over another, the Olympic Committee has banned performance enhancing steroids from competition and tests regularly for the presence of steroid use in the athletes that compete. The United States government has also taken regulatory measures to ensure that steroids are not abused. The Federal Anabolic Control Act, enacted on March 1, 1991 makes it illegal to posses or distribute steroids without a prescription or proper authority to do so.

Legal Use

Because steroids are classified as a Schedule III drug, only authorized doctors can prescribe steroids. Steroids have addictive qualities similar to many other drugs and must be used with caution. While there are steroids available on the black market, there is no guarantee of exactly what ingredients are in the drugs since they are not subject to government regulation. Not only this, but the buying and selling of these steroids via underground networks is illegal.