Everyone wants to be a success on the field of glory. Regardless of whether the field is a battle ground or a sports tournament, mankind has always wanted to be victorious. It comes as no surprise that there were and still is a variety of techniques available to give man an edge over his competition.
The term anabolic steroids are a familiar name to describe synthesized male hormones. Synthesized testosterone was originally created in the late 1930’s as a treatment for hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes are under developed. Scientist soon discovered that steroid use could facilitate skeletal muscle growth in laboratory animals.
One of the first major appearances in the use of anabolic steroids was noted during the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. By 1954 the Soviet team was a dominating force in the weight classes. There were several reports floating around about discarded syringes that had been left in the hotel rooms. It was obvious that the Soviet team was not using oral steroids but something completely different.
In 1958 the FDA had approved the use of Methandrostenolone or Dianabol. Anabolic steroids were used first by weight lifters; it soon spread to other sports in which the athletes depended on strength and bulk. In 1968 Dr. Manfred Hoepnner had written and submitted a paper supporting the use of steroids by East German athletes.
By the 1980’s non athletes were beginning to use steroids as well. As with most substances, the black market took to the lead in producing and selling non prescription steroids. The use of steroids flourished despite evidence of negative side effects. Many of these side effects include:
- Kidney Failure
- Heart Attacks
- Strokes
- Psychiatric Dysfunction
- Irreversible Masculinity (women)
- Sexual Dysfunction (men and women)
The spread in infectious disease can also be added to this list. Because anabolic steroids can be injected, it became very easy to transmit diseases from dirty needles.
As of 1988 it became illegal to give anabolic steroids for non-medical purposes. In 1990 the United States congress approved the Anabolic Steroid Control Act that places them on the list of Schedule III of the Controlled Substance Act.
While the use of steroids in professional sports has become illegal, not all sports test for its use. Baseball for example made it illegal in 1991, but did not start testing for it until 2003. The players are now subject to random testing at least 4 times every year, and the penalties for use have increased dramatically. The NHL still does not test for its use.
Today while many young athletes receive an education on steroid abuse, the black market has fought back with an increased web presence. Users write articles as to how to safely use injectable steroids and provide all manner of information to further its continued use. Websites post advertisements from online pharmacies who are willing to sell steroids to users without prescriptions. Proving once again that the best way to attract attention to something, is to make it illegal.