Should Steroids Be Legal?

[HarryB]

Well no one would have to go to prison if steroids were legal, that's kind of the whole point!

[samoan_muscle]

That dog isnt on steroids.

[Jigga]

That dog isnt on steroids.

True but for the sake of a joke that everyone will understand I don't mind them getting it wrong. I want to watch the doco again on the guy who switched off the gene that held back muscle growth in those cows/dogs and find out why he wouldn't/couldn't do it for humans?

In response to this thread, just go to Thai-rand.

[nate225]

what i don't understand is why creatine is legal if steroids are illegal? can someone elaborate?

the common answer is that our bodies produce creatine naturally so it can't be banned, but our body produces steroids also.

Medical science shows AAS doing some damage (probably more correctly having detrimental side effects) whereas there's not a lot linked to creatine use. AAS do attract a lot of media sensationalism but being completely factual its fair to say they do have some negative side effects, hence restricted medicines.

Well no one would have to go to prison if steroids were legal, that's kind of the whole point!

Do people really go to jail for steroids! :shock:

I take it steroids are still classified as restricted medicines in NZL & not class A, B or C drugs? If so it'd probably take 5 convictions before a custodial sentence was considered, and for the record if anyone got caught in posession / distributing that many times they'd deserve a life sentence for stupidity! :grin:

[HarryB]

No nobody goes to jail for steroids, but the bloody convictions follow you forever. "yes it was prescription medicines... no I didn't have a prescription. Ummm no, not sleeping tablets...a small fine and court costs.... ok fair enough I can't come into your fine country"

yep lived and didn't love it at all lol

[Beef]

No nobody goes to jail for steroids, but the bloody convictions follow you forever. "yes it was prescription medicines... no I didn't have a prescription. Ummm no, not sleeping tablets...a small fine and court costs.... ok fair enough I can't come into your fine country"

yep lived and didn't love it at all lol

that's true.. it's hard to get into the US if you've got any sort of criminal conviction. but i mean, law's law. at the end of the day it's your own fault if you get convicted for steroids

[HarryB]

Hell yeah Gymsta, just put my note in to remind people that while nobody goes to jail it can still hurt ya in the short and long term. I think when people hear no one goes to jail they don't think about what other ramifications there are. That prescription medicines tag get's to be a bit painful when it comes up in work background checks and visa applications etc etc etc etc

[nate225]

No nobody goes to jail for steroids, but the bloody convictions follow you forever. "yes it was prescription medicines... no I didn't have a prescription. Ummm no, not sleeping tablets...a small fine and court costs.... ok fair enough I can't come into your fine country"

yep lived and didn't love it at all lol

Appreciate your situation, however it is essentially a case of running with what is the 'law of the land'.

The idea that steroids should be legallised is as absurd as the legallise cannabis campaign. Decriminalising is a possibly more palatable solution in both cases IMHO.

On the up side HarryB Fiji would welcome you! :grin:

In reality it's probably only the US that would stop you travelling there long term for such a minor conviction.

Nate

[ohjoshua]

They shouldnt be legal, that would just encourage people.

Steroids have already ruined bodybuilding and strongman for naturals in New Zealand. Even sports that do test like powerlifting still have people who dont register for a couple of years to build up a "base".

I dont think people need any more encouragement to use steroids.

[justhell]

I think steroids should be decriminalised and available for personal use.

Its up to the person at the end of the day, if they want to use supplements or not.

:rockout:

[Optimass]

like them being prescription,

think its better to have the norm being natural, with steroids available to anyone you risk changing that

So you think if steroids were readily available the norm would not still be natural? Imo anyone who truely wants to use will get them anyway, its not difficult. Its just an inconvenience the way it is and is simply an attempt to remove the ability to make decisions for themselves. If alcohol and tobaco are available under restriction and kill/injure god knows how many people a yr why cant steroids fall under the same category?

.. it is something that makes you bigger, faster stronger with a longer term detrimental affect, something a lot of people don't understand.

Exlpain: What long term effects are you saying are negative/detrimental? If you have done your research you can weigh up what is comfortable for you. The choice is individual.

My issue is that if you take something from being illegal to legal to every member of society, it goes from being wrong to right.. As an example if 2 equally skilled kids go for a position in the first XV and one decides to juice the other one should to in order to meet rise in expectation, because it is now seen as being ok to do so, regardless of his own ethics/health beliefs.

Making them legal wouldn't change their ability to choose to use. But I guess each one will need to weigh upif they are prepared to be tested publically as legalising them wouldn't mean they would be made acceptable in sports.

Its the same reason you don't have roids in the olympics.. its not that they don't like steriod athletes its that its not fair on the others who work there ass off but don't want to go down that road.

I personally couldn't give a rats arse if they used them in the olympics or not- IMO the games have become boring. Hussain Bolt was the most exciting part of the last games and he was overlooked for testing because the organisers realise they need to have athletes smash records in order to keep the interestof the masses. What grates me is that beccause of the olympics I can't nip don't to the life pharmacy and get my twice weekly bumper of test .... just because I like want to.

Just my opinion

[nate225]

They shouldnt be legal, that would just encourage people.

Steroids have already ruined bodybuilding and strongman for naturals in New Zealand. Even sports that do test like powerlifting still have people who dont register for a couple of years to build up a "base".

I dont think people need any more encouragement to use steroids.

Strongman hasn't been ruined for natty's OJ!

Look at the winners & place getters over the last few years.....point made. Internationally I would absolutely agree with you.

Powerlifting in NZL is probably the cleanest competition in the world (due to low numbers & a robust testing programme). Sure the odd guy/gal will compete on gear, mainly at novice comps (as OCT applies to all NZPF members) but for the main its a very clean organisation. Again internationally its a different picture with many feds untested & even in IPF the Russians/Ukrainians seem to clean up the medals then fail tests.

As for BBing, I'm not sure? With the three major feds (NZFBB, NABBA, NABBA-WFF) not testing it makes for a tougher ask - although guys like Daniel Hibbs have shown a classy natural physique can still take major trophies home.

Alternately there is the INBA comps which still test??

Pro bodybuilding & the international stage forget it!

I guess for either of the above sports there are options still available for the natural athlete, its just a matter of choosing where you want to compete.

Nate

[thatwaslight]

Strongman and bodybuilding would be a hell of a lot more boring if steroids weren't involved, I'm sure that nowadays in the bodybuilding & strongman fraternity if your natural your in the minority.

[TonganTerror]

:ditto:

As he said............make them legal in all sports genetics and hard work still play a big part in who will get ultra fast or huge or strong or whatever the sport your in requires it will only cut out the thought in peoples minds "is he/she on the gear" instead it would be an even race for all!!!!!!!!!!

[nate225]

Strongman and bodybuilding would be a hell of a lot more boring if steroids weren't involved, I'm sure that nowadays in the bodybuilding & strongman fraternity if your natural your in the minority.

At elite level yes, in NZL no.

The NZSM fields since I got back into it (2006) have looked to me to always have more clean guys than guys on gear. I cant really remember what the fields were like in 2000 when I first competed.

I think in general strength sports lend themselves to genetics & hard work, whereas getting a set of 21" guns at <4% bf is a hell of a lot harder without enhancement regardless of the effort you put in. I guess thats why most would conservatively estimate 100% of pro BBers are juicing! :grin:

[musclenz]

I can't comment on Strongman or Powerlifting but in Bodybuilding even in the main federations I would suggest that the vast majority of competitors are natural. That's taking into account all of the male & female categories & age groups. If you get into this sport you need to accept that at the higher levels of national & international competition you are going to be up against opponents that will definitely be juiced. You have the choice to go with the Natural Federations where a degree of testing will take place or to continue through the ranks of the main groups knowing that to win will take a personal decision to go enhanced. It's not as if its an unknown playing field. Actually I believe that its a much easier & level playing field than in some sports where a surprising degree of top athletes will be using some PED's at some stage & could be seen to be cheating.

Yes decriminalising is the way forward. Knowledge, education & understanding is also the key to better public acceptance of the use of AAS & PED's.

[Luigi]

I guess thats why most would conservatively estimate 100% of pro BBers are juicing! :grin:

including nz pros ?

[Pete_S]

Jesus! Steroids are legal!! Doctors perscribe them every day.They are just a restricted medicine thats all. Like Viagra or the pill or antibiotics. There are many doctors in the auckland area that will prescribe them for physique enhancement under the guise of "hormonal replacement". They cant be sold over the counter like vitamin C as they come with risks and side effects just like all medicines.

Technically Doctors who prescribe them for enhancement in NZ are breaching their code of ethics IMO. AAS & Peptides should be decriminalised here & be available for personal use much like in the UK where they are still classified under the Medicines Act & do require a prescription from a Doctor but where this is rarely policed unless the amounts are for supply & larger than for personal use. Customs are not worried & allow internet & airport supplies to go through providing they are not seen to be for on sale or are counterfeit. Its much looser than in NZ, Aust & the US as the Law have deemed Class A drugs to be their priority. Many OTC drugs readily available can have side effects & risks. Paracetamol 8gms (4 tabs) can cause liver shutdown in some people particularly if alcohol is involved.

Will be interesting to monitor the UK's stance on PED's following the London Olymipcs - rumours ive heard are a move to BAN

[nate225]

I guess thats why most would conservatively estimate 100% of pro BBers are juicing! :grin:

including nz pros ?

The above was a general statement re: experienced BBers perception of the state of Pro BBing.

I, like anyone else, am not in a position to make a definitive statement about any individual or group of individuals as the reality is I have no idea as to what these people do in their private lives.

As for my perception, it's probably no different to yours Luigi, whether or not this matches reality neither of us will ever know! :grin:

[musclenz]

Jesus! Steroids are legal!! Doctors perscribe them every day.They are just a restricted medicine thats all. Like Viagra or the pill or antibiotics. There are many doctors in the auckland area that will prescribe them for physique enhancement under the guise of "hormonal replacement". They cant be sold over the counter like vitamin C as they come with risks and side effects just like all medicines.

Technically Doctors who prescribe them for enhancement in NZ are breaching their code of ethics IMO. AAS & Peptides should be decriminalised here & be available for personal use much like in the UK where they are still classified under the Medicines Act & do require a prescription from a Doctor but where this is rarely policed unless the amounts are for supply & larger than for personal use. Customs are not worried & allow internet & airport supplies to go through providing they are not seen to be for on sale or are counterfeit. Its much looser than in NZ, Aust & the US as the Law have deemed Class A drugs to be their priority. Many OTC drugs readily available can have side effects & risks. Paracetamol 8gms (4 tabs) can cause liver shutdown in some people particularly if alcohol is involved.

Will be interesting to monitor the UK's stance on PED's following the London Olymipcs - rumours ive heard are a move to BAN

You would expect things to be tightened up leading into the Olympics. Best you be coming home Big Fella :grin: