Why steroids should be illegal

Anabolic steroids, or simply steroids or ‘roids, are synthetic hormones related to the male hormone testosterone. Steroids do have legitimate medical uses.

Steroids are used to treat diverse medical conditions, such as bone marrow stimulation to help treat certain forms of anemia as well as growth stimulation in children suffering from growth failure. Some steroids are used for the stimulation of appetite and preservation of muscle mass; muscle loss can occur when a patient is suffering from chronic wasting conditions, such as AIDS and cancer.

Yet, steroids are now more in demand by non-medical users. And by non-medical users we mean healthy individuals who obtain steroids for their anabolic effects solely to improve their physique or athletic performance. It is because of these individuals that steroids should be illegal on several grounds.

Steroids should be illegal because they are detrimental to health

Steroids should be illegal because they pose health risks to the group of individuals who tend to abuse these compounds. Steroid abuse can cause severe risks to the well-being of the users, which sometimes can be fatal. It is for this reason why in many countries of the world, including the United States, steroids are considered illegal.

Time and again, non-medical users of steroids are forewarned about the health risks involved when taking these illegal substances. The following are some of the common side effects of steroid abuse.

Both clinical and anecdotal reports suggest that use of illegal steroids can result to psychiatric dysfunction. Abuse of illegal steroids can lead to aggression, delusions, paranoia, depression, extreme mood swings, and the so-called roid rage. The have been some suicide and homicide cases wherein use illegal steroids was said to be a contributing factor.

Other health risks include liver damage, infertility, high blood pressure, cardiovascular effects, and increase in LDL levels and/or decrease in HDL levels. There are also the gender-specific side effects, such as gynecomastia and testicular shrinkage in males, and hirsutism and clitoral enlargement in females.

Because of the aforementioned negative effects, it is for the safety of people why steroids should be illegal.

Steroids should be illegal because they have addictive potential

In animal studies it have been found out that steroids exhibit reinforcing effect; meaning, subjects tend to self-administer these drugs if given the opportunity. In humans, this effect is illustrated when users of illegal steroids insist on using them despite the occurrence of health problems and negative impact on social dealings.

In addition, withdrawal symptoms can occur when users stop taking illegal steroids. These symptoms are similar to those experienced from other substance addiction withdrawal, such as insomnia, fatigue, depression, loss of appetite, and substance cravings.

Steroids should be illegal because they give unfair advantage for the users

Steroids are used by some athletes to boost their performance, and thus, in essence, use of steroids in sports is tantamount to cheating.

Steroids are known to increase the strength and endurance of athletes who use them through several biological processes, including protein synthesis, erythropoietin, and glycolysis.

Anecdotal and clinical reports show that steroids make one bigger, faster, and stronger. This is why steroid use has taken an ethical caption as it fractures the tacit social contract between and among athletes, which is an agreement of fair play.

Steroids should be illegal because they send the wrong message to youths

How does steroid use send wrong message to kids?

A U.S. legislator puts it effectively with just a few words?”If our professional athletes aren’t clean, and if the perception they give is that you can cheat and make the Super Bowl, it trickles down, and the effect is huge.”

Considering all the aforementioned issues – steroids causing health risks, addiction, and moral and ethical concerns – it is clear why steroids should be illegal. Their classification as illegal compounds could get the message across to kids that it is not okay to see an athlete using them to run faster because steroids are illegal.

Is Buying steroids illegal?

When you buy steroids, you risk the chance of breaking the law, depending on what country you live in.  If you buy steroids in certain countries, you can face some serious legal action.  Many countries set high criminal penalties for purchasing and distributing steroids, while in other countries steroids are over the counter.  The countries where steroids are easily available are: Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Austria, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Ecuador, Mexico and Moldova.