The document discusses the benefits and costs of anabolic steroids and argues they should be legalized. It notes steroids can help build muscle mass and enhance performance, but also carry health risks like liver damage and psychological problems. However, it claims the mortality rate of steroids is very low compared to legal substances like alcohol and tobacco. It also argues steroids are not treated equally to other drugs and better regulation could make them safer while reducing the black market. The document concludes most steroid users are recreational rather than athletes and that legalization may generate tax revenue.

1. Mike LeeCOMM107Section 2301Persuasive Speech

2. Are YOU a 98 lb. weakling?

3. Legalize Anabolic Steroids

4. What are anabolic steroids?Synthetic derivatives of testosterone. (ESPN)Retains dietary protein. (ESPN)Began in 30’s, eventually used by WWII soldiers. (Cesar)1958 American Dr. Zeigler creates a better version.Banned by Olympics 1975. (Cesar)

5. GainsLook like a Greek God.Enhance physical performance.Feel young again. (Bigger)Has helped with AIDS, Cancer, Bell’s Palsy, Alzheimer’s. (Benefits, Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic)) The Gains OVERPOWER the Costs

6. CostsBall-shrinking, balding, hair growth, acne, reduced sperm count. (ESPN)Liver damage, premature heart attacks, and strokes. (ESPN)Psychological problems. (ESPN)The Gains OVERPOWER the Costs

7. Are steroids THAT Cortisone steroids: tendon ruptures. (Cluett)Anti-depressants: anxiety and suicide. (Vedantam, Side Effects)Viagra: vision problems, headaches, diarrhea, dizziness, etc. (Viagra)Plastic surgeries: risk of infection, blood clots.Cosmetic surgery: as vain and fake as anabolic steroids.evil?

8. Are they?Centers for Disease Control:Mortality StatisticsTobacco – 435,000 Americans per yearAlcohol – 75,000 Americans per yearAnabolic Steroids – 3 Americans per yearAll info. From Bigger Stronger Faster*Emergency Room Visits Alcohol, Cocaine, Steroids… after multivitamins! All info. From Bigger Stronger Faster*

9. LegalityBenefitsAnabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990 (Steroid Law – Anabolic)Same category as narcotic painkillers and barbiturates. (Steroid Law – Anabolic)DEA, FDA, AMA shouldn’t be treated like illicit drugs. (Bigger)Better regulation means they would be safer and more standard.Help stop the illegal market of the substance. Taxation on the sale of steroids = source of revenue for the government.Criminalization

10. Steroid Users in America:15% are Athletes85% are Recreational Users-Rick Collins Esq. Attorney / Author of Legal Muscle

11. References"Anabolic Steroids | CESAR." CESAR (Center for Substance Abuse Research). Web. 23 Apr. 2010. <http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/steroids.asp>.Anabolic Steroids - Steroid .com. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.steroid.com/>."Anabolic Steroids: MedlinePlus." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 23 Apr. 2010. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anabolicsteroids.html>."Benefits of Steroids and Excellence in Performance." Free Articles Directory | Submit Articles - ArticlesBase.com. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. <http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/benefits-of-steroids-and-excellence-in-performance-857569.html>.Bigger Stronger Faster*. Dir. Chris Bell. Perf. Chris Bell. Magnolia Pictures, 2008. DVD.Cluett, Jonathan. "Side Effects of Cortisone | What Are the Side Effects of a Cortisone Shot." About Orthopedics. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://orthopedics.about.com/od/paintreatment/f/sideeffects.htm>."ESPN.com - SPECIAL - Anabolic Steroids." ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports. Web. 24 Apr. 2010. <http://espn.go.com/special/s/drugsandsports/steroids.html>.Sherwood, By Chris. "Complications & Side Effects of Cosmetic Surgery | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. Web. 27 Apr. 2010. <http://www.ehow.com/about_4827336_complications-side-effects-cosmetic-surgery.html>."Side Effects of Antidepressants." Depression - Understand It, Treat It, Beat It. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. <http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/dlp/treating-depression/side-effects-of-antidepressants/>."Steroid Law – Anabolic Steroid Control Act." Steroid Abuse. Web. 27 Apr. 2010. <http://www.steroid-abuse.org/anabolic-steroid-control-act-2004.htm>.Steroid Law - Welcome to SteroidLaw.com. Web. 24 Apr. 2010. <http://www.steroidlaw.com/>."Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic) - InfoFacts - NIDA." National Institute on Drug Abuse - The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/steroids.html>.Vedantam, Shankar. "Antidepressants a Suicide Risk for Young Adults - Washingtonpost.com." Washingtonpost.com - Nation, World, Technology and Washington Area News and Headlines. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121300452.html>."Viagra Side Effects | Drugs.com." Drugs.com | Prescription Drugs - Information, Interactions & Side Effects. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. <http://www.drugs.com/sfx/viagra-side-effects.html>.