I sort of agree with the "show me the deaths" part of this topic. And I have to admit that the government is going about this wrong way which I sometimes refer to as a "witch hunt". It's my opinion that the government partially created this problem years ago when laws were enacted resulting in jail sentences. The AMA disagreed with this decision and the government should have allowed the medical profession to continue to administer anabolics under strict guidelines as established by those familiar with their use.
Instead "roids" became a black market commodity resulting in the administration of their use outside of a qualified doctor's supervision and care. You'd think that we would have learned something from the prohibition days - Make something that is in big demand illegal and someone will step in to fill that demand and that "someone" is usually not within the medical field. Far from it!
I know nothing about the making of anabolics outside of the legal drug manufacturers' arena, but I often wonder how and why the government allows these huge and profitable drug companies to manufacture more drugs than are actually needed (where the excess gets into the hands of those who use them for athletic performance). To me there doesn't appear to be any governmental control over these major drug companies in an effort to prevent their use outside of legal and official prescriptions. (And just what are those "legal and official prescriptions? Who can take them legally nowadays?)
Does anyone have any knowledge of the legal supply line once the product leaves the factory and gets to the patient? How does a part of that "product" get into the hands of someone outside of the medical field? Has any major network ever done an "investigative report" on this "supply route" subject matter?
I lifted in the days when roids were NOT illegal. Back then it was Decca and Anavar (if my memory serves me right) and I know of no one in my immediate vicinity who abused then until much later).
SO, in an effort to answer this "Steroid Related Death" question, here's my humble attempt ........
If deaths due to steroid usage is ever proven to be a fact ... then I would have to admit that we have not done enough to prevent those deaths. But I still insist that any such death could have been prevented if athletic users had legal access to decent medical care. Under the present situation, that "care" is seldom provided and users have to rely on other users for consultation and advise.
Be advised that I am not in the medical profession and the above comments are solely based on my years of experience with athletes and bodybuilders who often rely on anabolics to excel in athletic endeavors.
And it is evident to me that fewer problems existed when anabolics were prescribed to athletes under a qualified doctor's supervision and care, with one major exception - and that was when an athlete doubled up without informing his doctor beforehand..
Back in the early 60's it was my understanding that the AMA refused to admit that anabolics enhanced muscle growth and athletic peformance. I recall an article mentioning "Pavlov's dog" and further stating that the use of anabolics simply made the user think that they worked - and hence, they did! Or something like that. You guys who know Pavlov's dog will understand that better.
In my opinion, anabolics and those who use them are taking a bad rap and anabolics should be under the medical profession's complete control without government interference. If a doctor proves to be administering them incorrectly, then he should be the one who suffers the consequences. And if someone outside of the medical profession gets involved, then he/she should be in the next cell over.
Until then, we will continue to follow the beaten path that leads to nowhere regardless of the side you choose to take.
