Punishment for Steroid Abuse

Steroids are widely used in the United States by athletes in order to enhance performance, and by a lot on non-athletes in order to obtain that ripped boy or to simply get stronger. There is no doubt that the anabolic steroid can work wonders for people trying to achieve goals that might not otherwise be obtainable. However, when things seem too good to be true they often are.

Even though steroids are a powerful that when used wisely can yield amazing results, there are also some serious consequences associated with the substance. There are not only health consequences but legal penalties as well. Listed below are some of the penalties one might face if caught using or selling the drug.

In 1991 Congress placed anabolic steroids into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Under this legislation steroids are defined as:

Any drug or hormonal substance, chemically and pharmacologically related to T (other than estrogens, progestins, and corticosteroids) that promotes muscle growth.

- Maximum of 1 year in prison and a $1,000 fine for using or buying steroids.

- Penalty for trafficking for a 1st offense is a maximum of 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine

- 2nd offense for trafficking the punishment above doubles

The above mentioned penalties are for federal offenses. Individual states also have also implemented fines and penalties that vary from state to state