Here's a letter composed by MikeS, a mod from Pro Muscle, that everyone can and should send to Senator Biden:
Mr Joe Biden
US Senator Deleware
201 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr Joe Biden- August 22, 2003
I have read your statements and position regarding Anabolic Steroids (AS) and the future hearings regarding such. And now you propose the new and amended AS Control Act of 2003, citing prohormones and stiffer penalties particularly for the casual user, who is committing one of the least dangerous victimless crimes imaginable. If passed, many average people simply seeking increased cosmetic improvement through these substances and exercise will be turned into hunted criminals, their lives subject to ruin. Is this really what this country desperately needs, more policing of what should be private matters? I must protest your irresponsible crusade against relatively harmless substances in which you likely know little or nothing about. The DEA, HHS, AMA, and all the medical experts opposed the original bill of 1990. What does some fat, high school coach knows in comparison to these experts, since that is with whom the case against these drugs was presented.
I am a bodybuilder, and not even doctors (with a few exceptions), but WE are the experts in this field. I have studied the science of anabolic sports pharmacology for 15yrs. I am well versed on the subject. What credentials do you have that supports your demonization of these relatively harmless substances, and even their basically inert counterparts-prohormones and such? And if you’d like to change the required definition of an illegal steroid so it may blanket substances that do not even promote muscle growth, then actually what in fact do these supplements do that is so terrible and dangerous? Not that steroids are dangerous in comparison to what originally was supposed to classify Scheduled drugs-addictive properties, potential for abuse, harmful psychoactive potential.
I will use a personal friend who’s been around bodybuilding for 20yrs – call him “Mike.” Mike’s wife has been a mortician for 10 years and a nurse for 10 years before that. Neither of them has seen any severe adverse effects from steroids, and certainly not death. NEVER. Actual causes of death, despite the media laying the blame on steroids, including-Lyle Alzado; AIDS related brain cancer. Davey Smith/Rick Rude/Brian Pillman; painkillers and the deterioration from those drugs. Don’t you think there should be some responsibility in investigating facts supported by actual evidence, other than the outrageous, jump on the anti-steroid bandwagon, opinions of some uneducated politician and media, provoked by the needs of Sports Governing Bodies? It is simply sensationalism via journalism, and since the public has no actual knowledge of this subject, they assume the media reporters are knowledgeable, and take that information as fact. Let the Sports Bodies determine their own agenda citing 'unfair advantage,' and not include the general public in its witch-hunt against steroids. It is two separate programs, we citizens should not be bound by the laws of fairness in sports. Here lies the danger in your warfare against these substances. It justifies the legalization of a performance/cosmetic enhancing drug-certainly less harmful than legal lyposuction, plastic surgery, breast enhancement...etc; and with steroids, the performance is only enhanced by honest hard work, proper nutrition, unlike all those surgical procedures. And women can take sex hormones for aging, birth control; both sexes can use hormones if they desire a sex change. If a man required hormone replacement therapy (testosterone) is it viewed as a catastrophe; if a woman goes on HPT (estrogen), the treatment of this condition is totally acceptable. Not to mention the legalization of very harmful drugs such as tobacco and alcohol. Making laws that affect the entire population in order to legislate or govern a minute body of athletes (Olympics, Baseball) is preposterous. The vast majority of athletes is just looking for better bodies, increased strength, and results for their grueling work and nutrition practices; and are NOT professional athletes. These sports are fully capable of determining their own regulations, and we as citizens should not have to be held to standards set in order to govern their sports. It has happened before-the hysteria of Ben Johnson's Olympic incident resulted in the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990. It criminalizes these drugs as Schedule III, along with drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, and morphine. This is a travesty! Courts are treating hard working athletes in the same vein as recreational drug addicts! Do you suggest harsher laws? I surely hope not, and if so - you are a prime example of the need for education PRIOR to comments and decisions being discussed on issues.
I know vast amounts of steroid users - it is the most typical cross section of productive America you will ever see. Lawyers, Doctors, Policemen, Firemen, computer geeks, accountants, I could go on. Your typical neighbors. So why are some of the reasons that steroids are illegal, and otherwise honest taxpaying, working athletes are subject to jail for its use? Steroids don’t cause heart attacks, liver failure, rage. Rage is caused by immature behavior – it’s an excuse to act viscous. The early studies on liver failure was done on sickly, geriatric patients who were on massive (much more than any healthy athlete would use) doses of the steroid Anadrol, and those studies have since been discredited. Some types of steroids can raise blood pressure temporarily, while it will return to normal after cessation of its use. Adolescents should not use them regardless-and that is not effected by their being legal or not. We know the whole 'save our kids' slogan is being used to support this bill. Certainly nobody wants adolescents using these substances-and that should be clear. Why not focus on alcohol and cigarettes if you really want to save the kids from some harmful substances? That would be time and money well spent; not the money wasted in proposed grants and time used to sell this ridiculous anti-supplement campaign. Certainly there are some side effects. If that is reported responsibly people can educate themselves and take precautions, using these drugs in a responsible way. It is very possible - I’ve been doing so for 18yrs. So have many, many people I know. I studied and became responsible for using these substances correctly-as any adult should do before they indulge in any similar type of activity. Most all these adults are leading responsible lives, and can be trusted with handling supplements in a responsible way. They are (again) - lawyers, doctors, construction workers, computer programmers, engineers, policemen, firemen, actors, and politicians (I could name 2 quickly). Get the picture? You will be ruining and interfering with the lives of these otherwise responsible citizens, when they face the legal shackles you present. Mike has no aliments. His condition is amazing for a 44 year old. Learn to drive before you get a car - or you would wreck it immediately; should cars be illegal because of this? No one should spend ONE DAY in jail because of steroids. The unjust laws are a reflection of general public and lawmakers uninformed opinions. Which begins with opinions not supported by facts or knowledge, such as the damaging opinions created from your standpoint. I could recommend a fine web site for education made by a prominent professional, lawyer Rick Collins. His web site is
www.steroidlaw.com - examine it with open mind and then I would welcome your further comments in regard to Anabolics.
If you have any questions or comments, I would welcome a reply. I would be willing to discuss this, on any platform, with anyone who cares to share information. Lawyer Rick Collins would surely also welcome any discussion of these matters.
Doesn’t this country have endless REAL (terrorism, crimes with actual victims) issues, other than obsessive concerns on how to interfere with a mans right to create adaptations to his physique through hard work, nutrition, and supplementation, pharmaceutical or otherwise? See Roe vs. Wade-the woman’s right to do as she sees fit in regard to her own body. If anything, the issue at hand should be, why are honest hardworking athletes being crucified, and at risk of incarceration, for the attempt and desire to change their physique for the better? Why not be a pioneer and take that platform?
Please, I am not a residence of Delaware. But this is a National issue, and it requires educated attention. Please reply in email to this issue I present, which you have chosen to become involved with.
Sincerely
(your name)
