The World Kabaddi Cup, which will start on April 3, had made headlines in sports magasines for reports that 13 of its players tested positive for anabolic steroids and stimulants. The test conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) last March 20 was part of the pre-tournament drug testing of the players. The anti-doping agency conducts various drug tests for most professional sports organizations. Different sports leagues under the supervision of WADA should follow the standards in testing and follows whatever sanction or penalty it imposes.

Groups lobbying for a clean and dope free world cup was able to prove their allegations that there are some players who may be involved in the use of performance enhancing drugs. Kabaddi is not spared from the use of steroids since it is also a physical sport. Officials and other participants were hoping that the list of players who failed the steroid test will not increase anymore since it may just put a bad reputation to the sport.

The players with positive results came from the Indian team. Of the 29 players tested, 13 showed positive for banned substances while the 16 players were free of any anabolic steroids or stimulants. According to Dr. Manmohan Singh, chairman of Anti-Doping committee, the test for the 29 players was conducted on March 20. “The anti-doping tribunal has provisionally suspended the 13 players,” he said. The suspension was already served to the players and they will be banned from taking part in any sport or event pending the final adjudication of the anti-doping body. The agency also withheld the type of steroids found on the players as part of their policy.

The incident is a big blow to India where Kabaddi became a famous sports. Sports Director Pragati Singh expressed some concern on the result of the tests. “Definitely it’s a matter of concern. Even as a player it’s a matter of concern. We want the medal with respect. We don’t want medal like this,” he said. India holds the championship title for many years and with this issue, their reputation is at stake.

Kabaddi is one of the oldest sports in India which is already a 4000 years old sports based on some online sources. It is an outdoor and indoor game combining the characteristics of both rugby and wrestling. It is played by two teams with seven members each. Kabaddi is a very popular sport in South-east Asia. The sport was already introduced in Olympics and included as a competitive sports in Asian Games since 1990. The first World Kabaddi Cup was held at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in the year 1995.

This years’ world Cup will be held in India from April 3 to 12. There will be 10 countries participating in the said event including the United States, Britain, Pakistan, Canada, Iran, Italy, Australia and Spain. With the steroid related suspension of almost half of their players, India will be facing a hard time in this competition.

Steroid use in baseball has been a major problem of the league. It is not because of the benefits it gives, like more home runs and faster and stronger players, but because of its negative effects. Many are still criticizing the league on the way they handle players found using steroids. Moreover, the issue of giving second chances for former players involved in the use of performance enhancing drugs can send a wrong message to the baseball fans. That using steroids is just okay in the field as long as they are performing well in every game.

But the issue of cheating or enhancing their performance should not only focus on steroids use. Another performance enhancer which became a common pill for some player in the 80’s and 90’s is amphetamine. This drug which is also banned by most sports organization gives an edge to the player. This may not give what anabolic steroids can do but it helps the player play more and endure the task of playing consecutive games and so on. The drug, which is commonly called as greenies, could help a player to become more focused. If you are a hitter, it will allow you to see the pitch better and make better contact. We can therefore say that the increase in home runs could not just be due to anabolic steroids but it could be the results of using amphetamines.

Few years ago, the major league showed some concern on the increasing number of players applying for amphetamine exemptions. Although amphetamine is a controlled substance, it has been used as a medication for some illnesses and one of which is its use for the treatment of ADHD. It just makes us wonder why a lot of healthy players are asking for amphetamine medication. Of course, we don’t believe that most of them suffers from ADHD.

Greenies is not different from the energy drinks which are popular today like Red Bull or Five Hour Energy. But the side effects are something that a player should think about. Amphetamines cause some chemical reaction in the brain. It is also a kind of drug that when used for longer periods can lead to dependency.

What makes amphetamine another choice for pro athletes? This drug does not require you to adopt certain regimen just to get the full benefits of the drug. For anabolic steroids, you need to follow special training programs or exercises to achieve the maximum benefits of the drug. You need to effectively adopt a steroid cycle to minimize the side effects. This is also taken for longer periods to attain the desired objective. When Jay McGwire published his steroid book, he detailed that Mark’s use of steroids for many years was the main reason why he broke the home run record in baseball.

Anabolic steroid improves the performance of a player while Amphetamines enable them to perform. Using any of these drugs in baseball is still considered cheating.

A Brunswick bodybuilder was given a 5 year suspended sentence for his participation in an underground steroid manufacturing and distribution ring. Jason Arntz, 38, pleaded guilty in January to third-degree conspiracy to manufacture steroids. It was in March 2007 when authorities arrested 16 people, most are bodybuilders, for illegal manufacture of steroids and distribution in the Hanovers and Florham Park in Morris County.

Although Arntz did not participate in actual manufacture of the drugs or participated in the distribution of steroids, he supplied the group with the pill press used to facilitate the production. He still has the liability since according to court records he has knowledge that the press will be used for the illegal manufacture of the muscle-enhancing drugs, steroids.

Aside from the 5 year suspended sentence, the judge handling the case imposed a penalty of more than $1,000 and required Arntz to perform 150 hours of community service. Part of his community service is to engage in steroid education. The judge urge Arntz to do some speaking engagement in public schools or to groups about the dangers of steroids. “Maybe you can prevent some other person from going down the same path you did,” the judge said.

The prosecution, on the other hand, requested for an outright jail term for Arntz. Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Vincent Leo said that the defendant has a 2001 drug distribution conviction in the Union County and a disorderly persons offense in 2002. The prosecutor argued for a 3 to 5 year prison term but it was countered by the defendant’s lawyer, Robert Dunn. He said that Arntz has since “turned his life around,” and has a young child on his second marriage.

Judge Thomas Manahan explained his decision to give Arntz a suspended sentence. “Those two brushes with the law did not impede Mr. Arntz from assisting someone he knew was manufacturing anabolic steroids.” “I do not find probation is an appropriate sentence. Having said that, I don’t find state prison – today – is an appropriate sentence. I’m going to keep you under wraps in a different way,” with a suspended sentence’” said judge Manahan. The judge explained that if ever Arntz will be involved again in any violation of the law, he will be sent to prison. “It’s up to you how you comport yourself, but there won’t be any other chances,” the judge added.

Other respondents in the case also pleaded guilty to the charges and almost all of them received a probationary sentence. Co-accused Michael B. Dente was charged with conspiracy to possess steroids with the intent to distribute. He was given 2 years probation last year and required to render 100 hours of community service and 90 days work on the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program and to pay a fine of $650.

Another co-defendant Anthony M. Cuppari already pleaded guilty for the distribution charges but could be facing a stiffer penalty because of his involvement in the sale of steroids to a minor and distributing cocaine to his girlfriend. With these offenses, Cuppari could be facing a maximum jail term of 10 years. The sentencing is scheduled on April 9.

The debate on steroid testing in high schools will not end as long as the state spent millions of dollars into this program. Even though the country is now in the process of overcoming the financial crisis, people are still asking if it is still worthy to spend huge amount of the state budget into steroid testing. Proponents of this program believe that it is an effective way of preventing student athletes to engage in the use of prohibited substances particularly steroids. Lawmakers and school authorities are also riding the wave of steroid controversies in professional leagues. But the question is does athletes in the high school level use performance enhancers to improve their abilities and skills?

In the latest report released by the UIL or University Interscholastic League, the result of anabolic steroid testing for Fall of 2009 returned 2 positive students. This is out of 3,133 tests conducted in different schools. If we will convert this into percentage, it is only about .0006%. A very minimal number but the state spent millions for testing these students for performance enhancers. Last year, Texas spent $2 million for steroid testing program.

In the commentary of Evan Mohl of Galveston County Daily News, this program is a waste of money. “Think, at least for a second, about how else that money could have been used to improve the quality of education — purchasing new books, hiring more teachers or at least not firing some, decreasing the size of classrooms, constructing new buildings for overcrowded schools, providing more free lunches and instituting training,” he said.

Mohls’ reaction is also similar to other school officials that expressed concern on the effectiveness of the steroid testing program. This is also reflected in the recent move by the Texas Education Agency to slash the budget for steroid testing in the next school year. Although this proposal met resistance from some lawmakers especially for the proponents of the program. In Texas Education Agency proposal, the budget will be reallocated to other programs such as steroid education for athletes.

The UIL spent $6 million on testing for the first year of implementation. Only 19 students athletes were found to be using steroids. In the whole duration of the program, the UIL still spent $14 million on steroid testing alone. If there are only a few student athletes who failed the testing, it only means that steroids is not really a major problem in high schools according to Mohl.

However, anti-steroid crusaders like Don Hooton and Dick Butkus will not easily accept this view. For them, the low number of steroid positive students was due to the effectiveness of the program. It serves as a deterrent for student athletes knowing that if they will be caught, extreme punishment awaits them.

We know that anabolic steroids use by high school students is a major concern because of its possible side effects to the young body of the athlete. But the result shows only a few were taking these drugs. Lawmakers should now evaluate their stand on the issue. What is more appropriate, steroid testing or steroid education?

News reports of police officers involved in the use of performance enhancing drugs particularly steroid is not surprising anymore. There are already a lot of incidences where they are caught through drug testing by their respective units or department. There are even some cases where they justify the use of anabolic steroids because they believe it will help them become more effective in catching those criminals. Others may just contend that they use it for medical reasons. However, whatever reasons they may have, it is still considered a violation of law enforcement’s anti-doping policies. Although there are a few cases where disputes in steroids cases favors law enforcers just like the case of a Phoenix police officer.

In Swansea, South Wales, the crown court recently jailed a couple working in the Swansea police department for their involvement in anabolic steroid use and circumventing the law to avoid charges. Based on the report of WalesOnline, the court also found out that the Metropolitan police officer became dependent on the use of these drugs while serving in the police force for many years. He was also involved in the supply of anabolic steroids to other bodybuilders in the area.

Justin Weaver of Swansea was jailed for 16 months for involvement in steroid drugs supply, conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, and misconduct in public office. Her ex-girlfriend, who also worked as a civilian police worker, was also given a 24-week jail term suspended for 12 months and ordered to do unpaid work for 120 hours. Weaver was able to convince her ex-girlfriend to provide him with intelligence reports about the police operations against illegal drugs specifically reports related to his steroid use and selling activities. She also protected Weaver from the police for a speeding violation when he used her car.

The case started in 2008 when Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police drugs squad teams raided on several homes and businesses in Swansea area. These lead to the arrests of other people involved in the sale and distribution of anabolic steroids and other controlled substances. According to police records, the raid on TBS Nutrition yielded a total of £5,000 to £7,000 worth of steroids and diazepam tablets.

In the decision of Judge Peter Heywood of the Swansea Crown Court, Weaver committed a gross breach of trust. “Your culpability is the most extreme because you were a serving police officer with the Metropolitan Police. You have let down yourself, your family, your colleagues and the police force,” said the judge when he told the defendant. “Custody is not an easy place for a police officer and I bear that in mind,” he added.

Others who were charged in the conspiracy also received jail terms but with lighter penalty. Andrew Surman of Heol y Gors, Townhill who worked for TBS Nutrition received 32-week jail term suspended for 18 months and required to do unpaid work for 18 months. He was charged for supplying a controlled drug. Leighton Hackles of Meadow Rise, Townhill admitted to conspiracy to supply controlled drugs especially testosterone and clenbuterol. He received 40 weeks sentence suspended for 18 months and required to render 200 hours of unpaid work.

Alan Dutton of Swansea, who works as an ambulance worker and a bodybuilder admitted in court that he supplied Weaver with steroids and diazepam. He received 10 months sentence. John Griffiths of TBS Nutrition got 26-week prison term suspended for 12 months and required to do community work for 120 hours. He used TBS Nutrition to supply controlled drugs.

“These drugs are used not infrequently by people to pump themselves up and they get hyperactive and this can lead to violence in public places,” said Judge Heywood. The lighter penalty given to other defendants was based on their previous records. “You are all thoroughly decent but clearly you have transgressed on this occasion,” the judge said.

“It’s like the godfather. When I thought I was out they drag me back in. And now it begins again,” Canseco posted on his Twitter account. Jose Canseco, who is now out of baseball and also testified before a congressional inquiry about his knowledge of rampant steroids use in the league, ventured into other sports such as boxing and MMA. Canseco may not be active anymore in the league but his connection with many players who used steroids during his time was putting him again in the limelight.

Canseco also posted that federal authorities visited his house to serve the subpoena issued by the grand jury investigating the perjury case of Roger Clemems. “Omg I just got a subpoena to testify before the grand jury about Roger Clemens, Andrew Pettite and others on Thursday April 8 2010 at 1:00 pm,” said Canseco on his Tweet.

His lawyer also confirmed it to the NY Times. Greg Emerson said that he had been contacted three weeks ago by a federal prosecutor in Washington who was seeking to serve Canseco with a subpoena. The prosecutor wanted Canseco to testify before a grand jury that is investigating whether Clemens committed perjury when he testified in 2008 and denied using steroids and human growth hormone.

Roger Clemens was charged with perjury because when he was implicated by Andy Pettitte, his former teammate, and Brian McNamee, his former trainer. The former pitcher continues to fight his case in court and is still firm with his statement that he did not use any performance enhancing drugs like steroids and HGH. In an investigation, Pettitte claimed that Clemens told him 10 years ago about his use of HGH. On the other hand, his sour relationship with his former trainer McNamee also puts more burden to him. McNamee revealed that he was even personally asked by Clemens to inject the pitcher with anabolic steroids and HGH.

Canseco’s testimony may put Clemens into a more difficult situation. First, the two both played with Boston, Toronto, and New York teams. The grand jury may be expecting that they will get more information from Canseco. In his book, Canseco already hinted that Clemens may be taking steroids but did not elaborate on this issue. Second, McNamee’s statement in the congressional inquiry that he took away a bottle of Anadrol-50 pills from Clemens and gave it to Canseco in the locker room of Blue Jays can be used again against Clemens. “I just turned around, and I gave the stuff to Canseco. He looked at it, and he said he thought it was Anadrol-50. And then he popped one or two in his mouth,” said McNamee in the congressional inquiry. Although this allegation was already denied by both players.

In late 2008, Canseco was apprehended by the authorities in the Mexican border for carrying human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a fertility drug. This is commonly used as a treatment for long-term use of steroids. Canseco admitted that he is on medication to maintain his testosterone level.

His books, Juiced and Vindicated, became a sensation because many baseball players were implicated. He also revealed the rampant use of steroids in the league.