[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6030-S6031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. McCain, and Mr. Allen):
  S. 1137. A bill to include dehydroepiandrosterone as an anabolic 
steroid; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, 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. DHEA like all other 
steroids, may cause a number of long term physical and psychological 
effects, including: heart disease, cancer, stroke, liver damage, severe 
acne, baldness, dramatic mood swings, aggression etc. In fact, DHEA is 
already banned by the Olympics, the World Anti-Doping Agency, the 
National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Football League, 
the National Basketball Association, and Minor League Baseball, yet it 
actually enjoys special protections under the Anabolic Steroid Control 
Act.
  In an effort to keep all potentially dangerous steroids out of the 
hands of unsuspecting consumers and children, I am pleased to introduce 
legislation

[[Page S6031]]

today that would add DHEA to the list of controlled substances under 
the Anabolic Steroid Control Act. This legislation will eliminate the 
special exemption granted to DHEA, thereby treating it as every other 
substance in the steroid family.
  With the dramatic rise in the use of steroids among our nation's 
youth, now is the time to act to curb this increasingly growing 
problem. Just like all other anabolic steroids, DHEA should not be 
available over the counter, but only under a doctor's supervision. I 
encourage my colleagues to join in support of this legislation.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1137

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. INCLUSION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE.

       Section 102(41)(A) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 
     U.S.C. 802(41)(A)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
     ``corticosteroids, and dehydroepiandrosterone'' and inserting 
     ``and corticosteroids'';
       (2) by redesignating clauses (x) through (xlx) as clauses 
     (xi) through (xlxi), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after clause (ix) the following:
       ``(x) dehydroepiandrosterone (androst-5-en-3b-ol-17-
     one);''.
                                 ______