People who are not convinced on the effectiveness of steroid testing program in high schools still ask this question. Is it worthy to spend the taxpayer’s money on steroid testing where most states suffers from budgetary constraints? Should the money for steroid testing spent on more important activities or projects such as improving the quality of education and providing more facilities to some high schools in the country. Spending thousands of dollars and even millions in the early implementation of the program was not justified by the minimal number of students who failed the steroid test.

But again, legislators and most school officials are one in defending their program. It is still the best method of deterring students particularly athletes to take any performance enhancing drugs like anabolic steroids and human growth hormones. Just recently, the NJSIAA announced that the steroid testing program in New Jersey high schools is back. Lawmakers had already hinted before that they will scrap the budget for the testing but when the budget was approved for the school year 2010-11, steroid testing is still included. This report was confirmed by NJSIAA executive director Steve Timko to the media.

Under the current set-up, the state and the NJSIAA will each share $50,000 to cover the cost of the testing. On the average the NJSIIA conducts 500 random tests each year to its student athletes who participates in state tournaments and other competitions. Bob Daly, NJSIAA assistant director said that they were able to test 490 athletes in 2009-10 and all of them returned negative results for performance-enhancing drugs.

New Jersey was the first state to test high school athletes for steroids followed by Texas and Illinois. After 4 years of the implementation of the program, only one student failed the steroid test. The NJSIIA already subjected almost 2,000 student athletes to undergo steroid testing from 2006-2010. Daly said that the result proves that the program is an effective deterrent for students to take banned substances aimed to improve performance.

The result of steroid testing in Texas schools has also similar results with New Jersey. The two recent results published by the University Interscholastic League only revealed 2 students who failed the tests. The UIL tested 3,133 students in fall and 3,300 student athletes in spring.

The cost of the program in Texas is much higher as compared with other states with steroid testing. The state already spent $7 million dollars but they only caught 21 cheating athletes.

At least this year’s budget was slashed to only $750,000 but many still consider the amount too much for such a program. An editorial published in the San Angelo Standard Times suggest that lawmakers should instead focus on other issues. “All this isn’t to suggest that Texans shouldn’t worry about whether young people are taking steroids. Rather, the point is that the best use of public money on this issue is to educate athletes about the dangers of steroids and to train coaches and other educators to recognize who is using them.” said in the article.

Steroid use among student athletes may not be that rampant as reported by some organizations. This is evidenced by the negligible positive results of the steroid tests. Proper steroid education is still the best deterrent.

Bengal’s defensive end Antwar Odom violated the NFL’s steroid policy. It was reported that his latest test returned a positive result for a banned substance. The league has not disclosed any specifics of the violation or what type of substance that caused the positive test result. Many are already speculating that it could be due to the use of anabolic steroids. A common practice of some professional athletes not just in NFL but in almost every kind of sports.

In an effort to clear his name, Antwar Odom made a public statement on what really happened. The defensive end denied that he used any performance enhancing drug particularly anabolic steroids. However, he admitted that he failed the league’s test due to a banned substance which he claimed came from a prescription drug that he is taking.

Odom posted on his twitter account assuring his fans that he did not took any steroids. “To my fans and teammates: Please don’t believe the rumors. Yes I tested positive for a banned substance but it wasn’t steroids or PEDs.” He also disclosed that the case is already on appeal. “More details to come but for now it’s a league issue that’s under appeal. Just know that I would never cheat to gain an edge in this game that I love. Don’t lose your faith in me and please don’t pass judgement (sic) based on vicious rumors until all the facts are known. Thank you for all your support I really need it now,” Odom said.

As long as the appeal is on going, Odom can still play for the Cincinnati Bengals. As part of the NFL’s policy on doping, a player can appeal his case before the final sanction is given. A player who failed a steroid test will receive a 4-game suspension. The Bengals and Odom are still optimistic that there is a big possibility of reversal or at least reducing the possible sanction for his violation. Coach Marvin Lewis of the Bengals is hoping that Odom can still play even if sanction is given. An example is the case of New Orleans Saints players who are still playing while their case is being heard.

There is a debate whether taking a prescription medicine with a banned substance is exempted from the policy. The league’s policy does not allow athletes to take prohibited substances. For example, team physicians “may not prescribe, supply, or otherwise facilitate a player’s use of Prohibited Substances.” Odom is silent on the purpose of his taking a prescription medicine which contains a banned substance.

The number of football players caught using banned substances will still rise as long as the game requires them to be bigger and stronger. Steroids become their ally in the field. In the case of Odom, whether he is telling the truth or not, a 4-game suspension will forever tarnish his reputation.

Most headline news covers controversial cases on steroids like the updates on Roger Clemens case, Barry Bonds and the most recent the charges filed by FBI on its own agents for hiding their steroids and hgh use. However, there are also ordinary people who were charged for their involvement in steroid whether possession or with the intent to manufacture these drugs. And most of these cases have not been given too much media attention.

In Clermont, a gym owner and operator has been indicted by the Clermont County grand jury on charges that include trafficking in anabolic steroids and marijuana. The owner was also charged for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Jeffery M. Storch, 41 of Union Township and owner of the Body Worx Fitness 24/7 was caught by the authorities headed by the Narcotics Task Force and the Union Township Police Department for his illegal activities. A raid on his home result to the seizure of several firearms, currency, a marijuana-growing operation, five pounds of marijuana, and anabolic steroids. They also found ingredients used to manufacture steroids which can produce hundreds of doses of anabolic steroids.

Storch declined to comment on the case when asked by the media. His lawyer said that Storch was never involved in selling performance enhancing drugs out of the gym and added that the accusations are baseless. In an earlier post on his blog, Storch said that his products are 100% legitimate.

A 22-year old man from Corinth was also arraigned late August for possession and intent to manufacture anabolic steroids. Joshua Arnold was arraigned in Saratoga County Court for three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and three misdemeanor charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Arnold will be facing a maximum penalty of 7 years if convicted of the charges.

Authorities found several steroids, chemicals and equipment in a hotel room rented by Arnold. It was estimated that the worth of the steroids seized could reach $100,000.

Meanwhile, a teenager from Floyd County was arrested by the police for marijuana and steroids possession. Corey Rodger Ginn, 18, of 12 Margo Trail was charged with possession of steroids and manufacturing marijuana.

In Pennsylvania, authorities also arrested 6 people for their involvement in illegal importation and distribution of anabolic steroids in the area. The investigation named “Operation Roid runner” led to the arrest of Craig Johnson, 39, of Allentown; Edward Moyzan, 37, of Trexlertown; Brian Chamberlain, 35, of West Chester, Brian Potance, 26, of Eastong; Frank Peters, 34, of Ambler, and Angela Girondo, 50, of Ambler. They were charged individually because of their different roles in the distribution ring. Some of them were in charge of the importation while others were selling steroids locally.

The drugs were allegedly bought from China, Pakistan, Hungary and Mexico. Investigators said that late last year they intercepted $170,000 worth of steroids intended to be distributed in Pennsylvania. The group also sells these steroids through the internet. During the investigation, authorities seized 300 bottles of steroids and 2,300 pills.

Philly.com identified the two respondents as former bodybuilders in the area. Frank Peters is a personal trainer and competed in the 2008 NPC Lehigh Valley Bodybuilding & Figure Contest. Brian Chamberlain is also a personal trainer at a Golds Gym and won the IFBB North American Bodybuilding Championships in 2004. He also writes for Muscle Mag International.

The latest blow to the credibility of the law enforcement agencies in the country is the alleged involvement of several FBI agents in the use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. Though this may just be a simple case of violation of organizational policy, this would show that the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs is also a problem of the government not just by sports organizations.

Three FBI agents and one FBI analyst appeared in U.S. District Court in Washington on Wednesday to answer the charges filed against them. The case is handled by U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson. The FBI conducted a thorough investigation when they found out that the employees did not disclosed their use of steroids and hgh in their yearly fitness reports which is required by the bureau.

The FBI Deputy Director Timothy Murphy issued a statement to the media that they are still continuing the investigation and fully cooperating with government prosecutors. “FBI employees must be held to the highest standards of ethical conduct. When this information came to our attention, a thorough investigation was initiated which led to today’s charges,” said Murphy.

This case could lead to a more complex investigation as initial court records showed that the doctor who allegedly prescribes the steroids and growth hormones to these officers signed more than 5000 prescriptions since September 2005. A laboratory which conducted the tests for more than 300 patients may also be held liable if the results were tampered.

FBI special agent Matthew Litton works in the agency’s Critical Incident Response Group and Katia Litton is a special agent in the Washington field office. The couple, who are married, was accused of buying steroids and hgh worth $17,000 since 2006. Katia was a former professional bodybuilder and competed in 2000.

An intelligence analyst in the FBI’s counter-terrorism division was also charged. Court records said that Ali Sawan purchased steroids and human growth hormone more than 90 times between November 2007 and January 2010. Special Agent James Barnett who also works in the Washington office was also charged with steroids and hgh use. Barnett together with the couple received fake diagnosis for pituitary dwarfism and panhypopituitarism. Agent Barnett also spent more than $10,000 for laboratory tests, purchases of steroids and hgh and other medical related expenses between October 2008 and January 2010.

A doctor who was describe as a part time emergency physician for a health center in the area and another gynecologist were unnamed in the affidavits. The agent’s doctor allegedly offered hormone modulation therapy to treat hormone and testosterone deficiencies as part of his services.

The FBI agents were released on their own recognizance but they were required to undergo drug test, give up passports and any weapons issued to them, and have to stay within 50 miles of their homes. The hearing is set on October 5.

The London 2012 Olympics may have been put into another controversy if they have not acted immediately in withdrawing the appointment of a former Olympian who was involved in steroids. The London Olympic committee announced recently that they have already withdrawn the job offered to former Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Sevdalin Marinov. The weightlifter was supposed to act as the Technical Operations Manager for the weightlifting competition.

The appointment of Marinov might not have the approval of LOCOG chief Sebastian Coe. The head of the London Olympics is currently in Australia but reports showed that he was unhappy with the decision of his subordinates in appointing the former weightlifter. Coe is known for his strong anti-doping stance. He was even criticized for not allowing Linford Christie to hold any official capacity in the Olympics. Christie was suspended for 2 years because of a positive test for anabolic steroids. Any athlete who was involved in steroids and other performance enhancing drugs are banned for life in participating in any Olympic event as part of the policy of the British Olympic Association. An example of the strict implementation of the policy is the case of Dwain Chambers who was not given a chance to get back in Olympic sports.

The organizing committee issued a statement assuring the public that they are not deviating from their anti-doping policy. “LOCOG made a job offer to Sevdalin Marinov for the position of Technical Operations Manager for the weightlifting competition. When the offer came to the attention of LOCOG’s senior management, including the chief executive, we decided that this was not an appropriate appointment to make, given the role he will have within the sport competition.” If Marinov’s appointment was not revoke he will take a critical part in ensuring that the weightlifting competitions in London be conducted in accordance with the rules of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the IOC, International Paralympic Powerlifting, and London organizing committee (LOCOG). “We have today withdrawn the offer of employment to Mr Marinov, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said the LOCOG in its press release.

The inclusion of Marinov’s name in the London Olympics was probably due to his close ties with some officers in the committee. Although Marinov’s achievements were impressive, his involvement in the use of steroids was omitted by some LOCOG officials. It was only found out by higher officials when an Olympic website published complete information about Marinov. The weightlifter won an Olympic gold medal in 1998 Seoul Olympics when he represented Bulgaria. He also has 3 world titles and a world record in weightlifting. In 1994, Marinov won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Marinov was suspended for 2 years when he tested positive for steroids in 1994 and was given a lifetime ban in 2003 after he was involved in an illegal manufacture and distribution of anabolic steroids in Australia. He appealed the case in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and was able to convince them to overturn the decision of ASADA. He argued that he could not be held responsible for the illegal activities of his friend.

Australian authorities including the ASADA conducted a raid at his home in 2003 where found several anabolic steroids, equipment and other paraphernalia used to manufacture steroids. His room mate, Keith Murphy was charged for possessing 15 kilograms of stanozolol. Raw ingredients, vials, labels and pill presses were also found. Authorities also found 3 boxes of steroids and testosterone in Marinov’s wardrobe. The weightlifter was not at home during the raid since he was competing in Canada that time representing Australia.

After six years of litigation, the MLB was able to get a favorable decision from the federal appeals court barring government prosecutors to use the documents containing the names of MLB players who were tested positive for steroids in 2003. The MLB and the players union made an agreement that the drug testing conducted in 2003 should remain confidential. Their objective is to assess the extent of steroid use in the sport during that time. The result of that testing returned a total of 104 players with positive results.

In 2004 however, federal investigators seized the supposed confidential list from the major league in connection with their investigation of the BALCO steroid scandal. This led to the leakage of the names of players in the said confidential list. Last year, Alex Rodriguez was forced to publicly admit that he used steroids when an SI article named him as one of the players who failed the steroid test. Other names were also made public. Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, former Cubs, Rangers and Orioles outfielder Sammy Sosa and Manny Ramirez were just some of the players who were allegedly included in the list. The MLB was urged to make the list public but insist that they have to honor the agreement with the union.

The federal appeals court ruled that the federal agents acted beyond their power when they confiscated the tests results which are not related to the BALCO probe. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 9-2 and ordered the return of the documents. They barred the government prosecutors from using the list to build cases against the players in the list.

In his ruling, Judge Alex Kozinski emphasized the right to privacy of the involved players. “Everyone’s interests are best served if there are clear rules to follow that strike a fair balance between the legitimate needs of law enforcement and the right of individuals and enterprises to the privacy that is at the heart of the Fourth Amendment,” the judge said. Federal investigators had only 10 warrants for MLB players but were able to gather thousands of files in all, reflecting the test results of an unknown number of people, most having no relationship to professional baseball said Kozinski.

The MLB and the players union were happy about the decision of the court. This case which was re-appealed many times would now end after long legal battle between the players union and government prosecutors. MLB’s executive vice president Rob Manfred told the media that he believe that the 9th Circuit struck an appropriate balance between the legitimate interests of the government in law enforcement and the need for privacy in employer drug programs. The MLBPA Executive Director Michael Weiner was also glad with the ruling. MLBPA lawyer Elliot Peters was pleased with the result but the decision may have less impact on government searches. “We still win, so we’re happy,” said Peters.

Other baseball players who were part of the list are definitely happy with this development. At least, their reputation and career are protected by this ruling. They were lucky that they did not suffer the fate of Alex Rodriguez and others who were criticized and labeled as cheaters because of steroid use.