Washington, D.C.- Rep. Osborne applauded the passage of legislation that will ban the over-the-counter sale of steroid precursors, which act as illegal steroids once ingested into the body. The bill, S. 2195, directs the Drug Enforcement Agency to add androstenedione (andro), tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), and other steroid precursors to the lists of anabolic steroids classified as controlled substances. Rep. Osborne has worked to advance this legislation since first introducing the legislation in 2001.

"In the quest to become leaner, faster, stronger, young children across the country are looking for ways to become the next big superstar. Unfortunately, they are turning to steroid precursors such as 'andro' at alarming rates. Across the country, fifteen-year-old boys and girls are walking into local drug stores and purchasing steroid precursors disguised as 'dietary supplements' not knowing that these drugs metabolize into illegal steroids once ingested into the body. These children then subject themselves to serious health problems such as liver damage or heart disease as a result. To further exemplify the risks involved, the NCAA, NFL, and the U.S. Olympic Committee all protect athletes against the associated health risks by rendering athletes who use such drugs ineligible for competition. By sending this bill that regulates the use of steroid precursors to the President's desk, we accomplished a very important goal that has the best interests of our youth in mind."

In early June 2003, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3866, the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004. After working to successfully advance the legislation with Rep. Sweeney (R-NY) and Rep. Sensenbrenner (R-WI) in the House, Rep. Osborne continued to actively encourage the passage of its companion bill in the Senate. After months of negotiations, Sen. Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Biden (D-DE) were successful in advancing legislation, S. 2195, by unanimous consent on October 7, 2004. The Senate version of the bill contained a new provision designed to encourage education programs in elementary and secondary schools to highlight the harmful effects of anabolic steroids. The new provision contained in S. 2195 sent the bill back to the House for final approval. After the passage in the House today, S. 2195 now moves to the President's desk for his signature.

S. 2195 is supported by the Coalition for Anabolic Steroid Precursor and Ephedra Regulation (CASPER). CASPER is comprised of the nation's leading medical, public health, and sport organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), and the National Football League (NFL) among others.