HD58 - Anabolic Steroid Misuse Among Minors

  • Published: 1990
  • Author: Department of Health Professions
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 440 (Regular Session, 1989)

Executive Summary:
For the past two years the Task Force on Anabolic Steroids Misuse Among Minors has studied problems related to the use of anabolic steroids by high school athletes and other youth in the Commonwealth. The Task Force was appointed by the Director of the Department of Health Professions in response to a request by the 1988 Session of the Virginia General Assembly (House Joint Resolution 88).

In its 1989 report to the Director, the Task Force summarized the state of knowledge regarding the extent and risks of use of steroids by young people, and recommended a number of actions that could be taken to curtail the use of anabolic steroids. Based on recommendations in that report, the 1989 General Assembly:

• enacted legislation to increase the penalty for illegal manufacture, sale, distribution or possession of anabolic steroids (House Bill 1418, 1989);

• approved resolutions requesting additional activities by agencies of the Commonwealth and other organizations, and continuing the work of the Task Force (House Joint Resolutions No. 430 and 440);

This final report of the Task Force summarizes the activities of the Department of Health Professions and boards within the Department, the Offices of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Secretary of Education, the Department of Education, and other organizations including the Virginia High School League and the Virginia Parent and Teachers Association in confronting the steroid problem.

The Task Force believes these responses represent a good beginning to the understanding and effective prevention of steroid use by minors. Rarely have agencies of government and the private sector coalesced so quickly to recognize a problem, assess its extent and causes, and promote action to prevent its spread. The movement from study resolution to innovative, decentralized, but systematic action traced in this final report gives the Task Force reason for considerable optimism.

Although the report presents no recommendations for additional legislation or mandates for specific action at this time, agencies of the Commonwealth should remain vigilant, in monitoring the initiatives now underway and determining the need for further action.