NCJ Number
214190
Date Published
March 2006
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This report presents the Federal legislative and sentencing-guideline history for steroid offenses, discusses the U.S. Sentencing Commission's response to this legislation, and updates the Sentencing Commission's 1990 Steroids Report.
Abstract
Updated research findings reported to the Commission indicate that steroid offenses are characterized by the same use patterns, prevalence, and harms reported in 1990 when the Commission first studied the issue. New findings since 1990, however, show that steroids are now considered potentially addictive, with documented withdrawal symptoms. They are also capable of wider distribution through the Internet, which involves international sources of supply. This information will be taken into account when the Commission develops guidelines under the provisions of the 2004 act. The U.S. Congress enacted the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 to address the abuse of steroids by athletes and especially youth. This act directed the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review the Federal sentencing guidelines for offenses that involve anabolic steroids; consider amending the sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for such offenses; and take any other action the Commission deems necessary in implementing the legislation. The Commission added consideration of steroids offenses to its list of priorities for its 2004-2005-amendment cycle. At a public hearing held by the Commission on April 12, 2005, questions similar to those raised when the Commission considered the issue in 1990 were addressed, i.e., the uniqueness of steroid users, its abuse when compared to other controlled substances, the harms associated with steroid abuse, and how to characterize the typical steroid trafficker. In addition, the Commission hosted a roundtable discussion that included experts from the scientific community, a government health agency, law enforcement, and defense attorneys. 144 notes and appended list of roundtable participants and topics