Chuck Grassley: “recently, the problem of steroid abuse has been getting a great deal of media attention. While this publicity has helped…”

“recently, the problem of steroid abuse has been getting a great deal of media attention. While this publicity has helped to raise public awareness about the dangers of illegal steroids, recent studies indicate that more and more young people are taking these drugs to improve their performance, appearance, or self image. In fact, some recent studies indicate that as many as 5 percent to 7 percent of students, even as young as middle school, admit to using illegal steroids. Even more widespread among adolescents, however, is the use of over- the-counter supplements. Many young people are turning to ``supplements'' as an alternative to illegal steroids, mistakenly believing that because they are sold over the counter, they must be safe. However, many of these over the counter ``supplements'' actually produce the same dangerous effects on the body as illegal steroids. Some, even become steroids in the bloodstream. Last year, the President signed into law the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004, which added 18 anabolic steroid precursors to the list of anabolic steroids that are classified as controlled substances. Yet as I speak, on the shelves of health stores across the country, sits one anabolic steroid that can be bought by anyone, at any age, without the need of a doctor's prescription. Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is an anabolic steroid that once ingested, the body turns into testosterone.…”