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Question: What are the legal consequence for using steroids?

Answer: You are most likely talking about anabolic steroids -the kind that athletes and others use to build muscle and size and be better in their sport. In Arizona it is illegal to possess and use certain drugs, and anabolic steroids are classified as 'dangerous drugs' (ARS 13-3401(6)(d)). Possession or use of a dangerous drug is a class 4 felony (ARS 13-3407). Other kinds of steroids, like cortisone and prendisone - known as corticosteroids, are prescription only drugs. Possession or use of a prescription only drug without a valid prescription is a class 1 misdemeanor.

In Arizona conviction of a class 4 felony can result in prison time of up to 3.75 years for a first offense, probation, and a dangerous drug conviction has a mandatory fine of $1000, plus mandatory surcharges of 80%. A class 1 misdemeanor can result in up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2500 fine (plus the 80% surcharge). However, for first and second drug convictions, if you do not have any other violent crime convictions, you cannot be sent to prison, but probation and treatment is mandatory, along with the fine.

If you get charged with possession or use of dangerous drugs as a juvenile, and are convicted, then the adult sanctions above don't apply, but the juvenile court can send you to juvenile prison, place you on probation, make you pay a fine, do community service work and attend treatment. Also, the law requires that your driver's license be suspended until you are 18, for ANY drug conviction. This even applies if you don't have a license yet - the suspension is of your privilege to drive.

In addition to the criminal sanctions, many sports associations and schools have rules about drug use, including steroid use, and they can and do test for drug use. If you are found to have the drugs in your system, your prizes can be taken away (if you won), you can be suspended from the sport and/or school, and you can be banned from competing in your sport for a time or for life, depending on the situation.

Also, drug convictions can keep you out of the military, and out of some professions or jobs - even juvenile 'convictions'.

So steroid use has some drastic legal consequences, which could effect the rest of your life.


Comments
26 thru 30 of 44 comments
On 11/22/05
Jack from UT said:
Steroids are a fact of sports. A LOT of professional atheletes use them like it or not. It is not cheating if everyone is doing it. A lot of the people on this board are extremely naive to think "Roid users are losers". Look at everyone that has used them; barry bonds, mark mcguire, jose canseco, arnold schwarzneggar, world class runners and cyclists. How come these people aren't dying left and right? Because the side effects of steroids are greatly exagerrated. Yes, they are dangerous!!! But they can also be used safety especially under the care of a physician.
On 11/13/05
Dumb Guy from MD said:
You people are really stupid if you don't believe that every professional body builder as well as most pro atheletes use steriods. What about a vitamin (real vitamins, not 'roids) injection? Is that cheating?
On 05/12/05
Kyler from OH said:
im doing a report on drug abuse in school thanks for the information
On 03/02/05
Travis from MS said:
In my opinion steroids are safer than alchol ciggeretts advil, or any pain medication. I know many steroid users some of them professional body builders and they have no helth problems because they dont abuse the product. They just allow you to push your body further,allowing to make yourself better nothing wrong
On 02/10/05
Brennan Cooepr from MA said:
Hey, plain and simple, if you need to use steroids to enhanced your performance...your not an athlete. Your a cheater, liar, your a shame, and a embarrasment. If you think u need to get better and your willing to do what it takes, then you really won't use steriods, youll get in thw weight room and do it there.
26 thru 30 of 44 comments



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