Applied Pharmacy Services in Mobile, Alabama was considered as one of the largest steroid distribution ring in the country. It involved several doctors who made illegal prescriptions for the company. Owners were already charged including other doctors from around the country for conniving with the pharmacy owners. Anabolic steroids can be prescribed to patients who need medical treatment, however, allowing them to take steroids without actual consultation makes the prescription illegal.

In the latest update of the case, a Colorado doctor who played a significant role in the investigation gets a lighter penalty because of his cooperation. Scott A. Corliss, 55 of Greeley, Colorado was sentenced second week of October for 1 year probation. Prosecutors believed that the sanction given to the doctor is already enough because he was the least guilty in the conspiracy. Corliss pleaded guilty for withholding information about a conspiracy to write prescriptions for anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances in January 2008.

The testimony of Corliss helped the prosecutors establish a strong case against the owners of the Mobile pharmacy and other doctors involved in the conspiracy. The trial which lasted for 5 weeks early this year revealed that the doctor is the least culpable in the steroid case. The prosecutors through Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Dobbins, asked for the lighter penalty for Corliss. Dobbins told the court, “You saw his demeanor. You saw how difficult this was for him.”

Dobbins was quoted by an Alabama website saying that the Colorado doctor was not after the money but more concerned on helping patients control the ageing process. “He said his motivation was not greed, but a genuine desire to slow down the aging process. He said he regrets continuing to write prescriptions even when presented with patients who did not meet the proper criteria,” Alabama Live reports.

Aside from the probation, the doctor also forfeited $12,000. During the sentencing, Corliss told the court that he was remorseful for what he had done. “I cannot adequately express the remorse I have for allowing myself to become involved in this. I compromised my own judgment. I didn’t listen to that voice inside my head that warned me not to go down that path,” he said.

Meanwhile, an athletic trainer in a local gym in San Francisco was charged by the authorities for possession of a controlled substance for sale. Marin County Major Crimes Task Force investigated Matthew David Goetz, 27, of Mill Valley for allegedly importing thousands of doses of anabolic steroids. Investigators said that the steroids came from Thailand.

Goetz was also charged for child endangerment after police found packaged anabolic steroids and needles in the bedroom of his two children. They also found packaging materials at his home which the police said were used to sell steroids in the area. Goetz is on $10,000 bail and is set to appear in court Monday.

When it comes to the topic of anabolic steroids, health experts and health store owners are still debating about its benefits and side effects. Both may have their own basis for defending and or criticizing the use of steroids but the question is who is telling the truth. Are the expected benefits outweighs the negative side effects to the users? Or is it the other way around?

Health experts are all against the use of steroids in performance enhancing because they believe it will just give the users a long list of side effects which can vary from mild to serious health problems. There is only one exemption, the use of anabolic steroids in the treatment of medical conditions. This is of course a great help in the field of medicine. Anabolic steroids are allowed to be used in cancer patients, people with osteoporosis and anemia and many other health conditions.

The main problem is the use of the drug in performance enhancing especially by young athletes. Using a controlled substance will definitely cause some problems. However, with the use of improved medical technology, there are some products that were able to enter the market as a supplement but their functions are similar to anabolic steroids. For example a health store in Davenport, IA is selling a muscle enhancing product which they claim as a legal product. These are called designer steroids. The problem is federal authorities have yet to confirm and conduct studies on these supplements before they can ban the product.

In an undercover investigation of a news outfit in Quad City WQAD-TV, the prospect buyer was persuaded by the representative of the supplement store to purchase the steroid which was described as a hot seller especially to those bodybuilders who want to get ripped fast. The product is further marketed as a hardcore supplement promising great results and a legal steroid. “It’ll make you throw around some weight you haven’t thrown around- especially if you haven’t done it before,” the store manager allegedly told the undercover buyer of the steroid.

However, a health expert counters these claims. Dr. Margaret Millar, a sports medicine specialist in Moline warns those people who would want to try using anabolic steroids. “They think over the counter, it must be safe. Statistics say it’s a huge problem in our high schools,” she said.

Dr Millar observed in her patients the side effects of steroids. “I think they want a free lunch and there is no such thing,” said Dr. Millar. She also listed the numerous negative side effects steroids can give to the users which can range from their inability to reproduce to inability to have an erection. “It makes man boobs and it shrivels up their testicles, creates hair loss and they get acne,” she added.

A spokesperson of the nutrition company selling the designer steroid said in a statement that their products are safe and effective when used according to the label. “We incorporate quality, personalized healthy solutions at our stores with the support of trained consultants. We put a huge emphasis on training our staff to work closely with customers to educate them about everything they need to know about our products, and how to use them properly,” said the spokesperson.

Selling steroid is a lucrative business. However, anybody can’t just sell these performance enhancing drugs without any risk of getting caught by the authorities. In Canada, the use and possession of anabolic steroid is not a crime but manufacturing and distribution of steroids without the proper license is an illegal activity. But despite the possible legal impediments, many are still trying to venture into this kind of business. Most of these drugs were manufactured or repacked at underground laboratories or home labs which make it a more dangerous drug.

Just recently, Calgary police found another home based steroid distribution center in Auburn Glen Circle S.E. A search at a suspect’s home and his Toyota 4 Runner revealed thousands of pills and vials containing different types of anabolic steroids. Cash which was believed to be proceeds from the steroid business were also found from the site.

The investigation which started a month ago, led to the successful arrest of the suspect, Jordan James Cutts, 36, of Calgary. According to the report of Calgary Herald, Cutts has already been charged with 3 counts of trafficking anabolic steroids, 2 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking anabolic steroids and 5 counts of benefiting from the proceeds of crime. Staff Sgt. Dale Ruzycki of the drug enforcement unit said that steroids confiscated from the suspect were considered as one of the largest seizure in the area. “We have not done a seizure of this size related to steroids in at least five years,” he said.

The different types of anabolic steroids found are indications that the suspect has an established client base and a well organized distribution in the locality. “He had a large client base and from all walks of life,” said Ruzycki. According to the authorities the steroids may be imported from other countries and repacked for local distribution. “I can’t say for sure how he got them. I can tell you that they’re available from Mexico, the United States as well as Eastern European countries. They get shipped in here and they’re held out for sale,” added Ruzycki.

Police identified the anabolic steroids as Dianabol, Winstrol, Anadrol, Clenbuterol, Anavar, Provirion, Primobolan, Turinabol, Letrozole, Boldenone, Turnabol, Chorulon, Sustanon, Omnadren, Nandrolone Decanoate, Cytomel, Trenbolone Acetate, Boldendone Undecylenate. Various testosterone products were also found like Testosterone Enanthate, Testosterone Cypionate, and Testosterone Propionate. It is not yet clear if these steroids were also being offered for sale online.

The estimated value of these steroids for sale is around $20,000. However, if these are sold in retail at the local market, the value could reach to at least $50,000. $91,000 cash was also found from the suspect. This is the second raid in Alberta. Edmonton police also confiscated $250,000 of steroids last month and charged 5 suspects.

Even if there were large seizure of steroids, health experts are still adamant to say that steroid use is already rampant in the locality. According to Dr. Victor Lun of the Sports Medicine Centre at the University of Calgary, the discreet use of steroids is the main reason why it is hard to tell how prevalent it is.

Dr. Lun instead warned the users about taking these drugs. “When one takes an anabolic steroid bought in the black market, you don’t know what it’s mixed with,” he said. Loss of fertility, liver problems and loss of temper are just some of the possible side effects according to the doctor. There are also some side effects which are irreversible even if you stop taking steroids.

We have compiled some of the latest news in sports this month and found out that steroid is still one of the top headliners of most news agencies covering sports. While most sports organization bans the use of steroids, there are still a lot of professional athletes being caught for using the performance enhancing drug. Athletes are still taking the chances even if sports authorities impose stiff penalties. We also found out that the use of anabolic steroids were not only the problem of the US but almost all countries around the globe.

In the Commonwealth Games recently held in New Delhi, India, anti-doping authorities announced that there were several athletes who were caught using steroids. Prior to the Commonwealth games, a lot of athletes from Pakistan and some athletes from other participating countries received sanctions for violating anti-doping rules.

Athletics still dominate the number of steroid positives. Indian race walker Rani Yadav, 20, tested positive for norandrosterone. This substance is banned in most sports competition because of its muscle building effects. It is commonly known as the steroid nandrolone. Ydav finished 6th in the women’s 20 kilometer walk. She was provisionally suspended while a hearing is still to be heard.

Damola Osayemi and Samuel Okon of Nigeria both tested positive for methylhexaneamine. Osayemi competed in the women’s 100 meters and Okon in the 110 meter hurdles.

A gold medalist in the 60kg category bantamweight boxing title was also caught positive for steroids. Sri Lankan Manju Wanniarachchi will be stripped off his gold according to the president of the National Olympic Association Hemasiri Fernando. It would be great blow to the boxer since he was the only one who won a gold medal for his country in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, the West Australian Football League is again marred by another player who failed a steroid test conducted by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. A player from the Swan Districts, who’s name is still withheld while the results of his B sample is not yet complete, was already notified of the result.

The ASADA found an abnormal level of Sudafed in the player’s system. Sudafed was known to raise the heart rate and lead to enhanced bodily function. The player is not yet obliged to inform others about the positive result because the authority is still waiting for the confirmatory result of the B sample.

Another player from the East Perth who was banned for 2 years is still appealing his suspension. East Perth midfielder Dean Cadwallader was caught using the anabolic steroid nandrolone earlier this year.

In Bulgaria, a soccer coach received a 4-year ban for giving steroids to his players. The Court of Arbitration for Sport, FIFA, and the World Anti-Doping Agency all agreed that Coach Edward Eranosian was guilty for organized and systematic distribution of anabolic steroids to the players of the soccer team. Coach Eranosian heads the APOP Kinyras team and provided pills containing oxymesterone to his players before competitions.

Professional athletes involved in doping scandals usually writes book about themselves. There are also some cases where other people write about their life and career but it is usually centered on the athlete’s use of performance enhancing drugs. One of the most controversial steroid books written by a professional athlete is the Juiced and Vindicated by Jose Canseco, the MLB’s steroid whistleblower. You can also find a tell-all book about Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Lenny Dykstra, and a lot more.

And this week, another book was released which was authored by former Olympic athlete Marion Jones, one of the celebrated cases of doping in the country. The book entitled “On the Right Track” could be another bestseller but Jones clarified that her book is different from those tell-all books published by other professional athletes.

In an exclusive interview of the AP, Jones said that she did not delve much on the issue of doping or her use of anabolic steroids. “When people look at this, they might think it’s a tell-all, it’s one of those books that you see celebrities or maybe athletes write after they have just done something horrible. It’s much different than that,” Jones said. She said that her story is unique. “The first part of my life, my journey, I hit the pinnacle of my career, and it was a very public career, and then I made decisions that cost me all of that,” she said.

Marion Jones’ Ordeal in Prison Detailed

The former Olympian, who won 5 medals in the Sydney Olympics, spent 6 months in prison for lying to federal investigators about her use of steroids. During the BALCO investigation, Jones denied that she knows the steroid “the Clear” when it was shown to him by Jeff Novitsky. She was also involved in a check-fraud scam together with his former husband Tim Montgomery.

Jones detailed her suffering while serving her sentence. She clarified that she was jailed because of lying and not because of doping. Her experience in the solitary confinement for more than a month was the worst part of her life. “There were moments while I was there, where you just feel like you cannot go on: ‘How in the world can I make it to tomorrow?’” Jones said.

Time to Reflect

Those setbacks in her life made her realize many things. “I surely wish that I could go back and change certain things in my past, on one hand, but then I wouldn’t be who I am today, someone who I’m actually really proud of,” said the track and field champion. She said that those trials especially the time she spent in jail helped her reflect about her life. “If I hadn’t gone through certain things, and because I had those six months or whatever — just a lot of quiet time- if I hadn’t gone through it, I don’t know if I would ever have that much time to reflect. A lot of people don’t,” Jones said.

Life after the Steroid Scandal

The best thing that ever happened to Jones is changing her life and become a better person. Her husband told the AP that those problems were both crucible and a wonderful opportunity for Marion. “She’s not one of these people who’s bitter. She’s not spiteful. She’s not looking to get even with anyone. She’s just turned it into something positive. She’s used it to take the next steps in life, to rebuild,” said Obadele Thompson.

The disgraced Olympic athlete is now active in the “Take a Break” program. Jones conduct this as an outreach as part of her probation but she will continue this on her own by visiting more schools around the country. “By helping people, it’s a form of healing for myself, because I hurt so many people. I know that,” she said. It also serves as her motivation to keep going on

Sorry for Doping but It’s Not Intentional

Jones is still firm that she did not intentionally take performance enhancing drugs. She regrets that she was so trusting about the people around her. “Sure, it was my choice to take it without asking any questions but it was never my intent to take it,” she said. Further she wrote in her book, “Yes, I took a performance-enhancing drug and I can’t go back and undo any of it. What happened, happened. I’m not holding anyone responsible for the fact that I’m the one who put it in my body. Nobody forced me.”

Marion Jones is rebuilding her career in WNBA. She played for the Tulsa last season.

Senatoriable Richard Blumenthal is not giving up in questioning the credibility of his rival in the Connecticut Senate race. If Linda McMahon was not able to handle internal problems in the WWE, how can she become a good leader for the people of Connecticut? In the latest effort to prove his point, Blumenthal’s camp invited Michael Benoit in a press conference to talk about McMahon’s way of handling her employees and business, the WWE.

Michael Benoit is the father of the professional wrestler Chris Benoit who murdered his family and later killed himself. The tragic incident was blamed on the long term use and abuse of steroids by the wrestler. Another angle why the wrestler committed suicide was the continued injury he suffered while playing for the WWE. The concussions which affected his brain might be the cause of his actions.

Benoit’s father, who lives in Canada, spoke at a Hartford press conference organized by Blumenthal’s camp. Michael said that he is almost thankful that Linda McMahon runs for a public office so that people would know her real intention. He believes that the former CEO of WWE would just use her power to protect their business. “The only reason that woman wants to go to Washington is to protect the dollars that WWE makes, to head off any attempt to regulate their industry,” he said. In the previous years, the McMahon’s already blocked efforts of some lawmakers to re-regulate the wrestling industry. The WWE is exempted from regulations of state athletic commissions because it is not considered as a sports but an entertainment similar to circus.

According to Michael, the concussions of Chris were caused by brutal fights like hitting the head with metal chairs. The fights which are orchestrated by WWE are too dangerous for the wrestlers. Another issue is the alleged involvement of top WWE officials encouraging and tolerating steroid use among wrestlers.

The Washington Post asked McMahon campaign team about their reaction on Michael’s statements. “I think Mr. Blumenthal has really tried to focus in only saying that WWE does not treat its performers well, when in fact, WWE treats its performers incredibly well and it wants to make sure that those men and women in the ring are protected,” said McMahon.

McMahon’s campaign believes that Michael Benoit is only being used by Blumenthal to ruin their reputation, a clear political strategy to gain support from the voters. Ed Patru, the spokesman of McMahon issued a statement saying, “Chris Benoit murdered his family, and he alone is responsible for that. It is outrageous and reprehensible that Dick Blumenthal’s campaign is now suggesting someone else is responsible for this heinous crime. The spokesman was also troubled about Blumenthal’s belief that a murderer’s behavior ought to be excused and instead someone else should be held accountable.

Linda McMahon told a business group in Hartford that she understands the pain of Michael Benoit. “I can understand that his feelings are bitter, sad, wants to find answer and would like to also find someone to blame,” she said. However, the issue of using anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs in WWE will always be a problem of the Republican Senatoriable.