The Iron-Garfield Counties Narcotics Task Force has compared anabolic steroid underground labs (”UGLs”) to dangerous and hazardous methamphetamine labs (”meth labs”). Task force officer Melissa Fritz-Fuller made the comparison when announcing the arrest of Mark Sherratt of Liquipharm Labs. Sherratt allegedly manufactured steroids from raw powders in a clandestine laboratory at his home; Liquipharm steroids and ancillary drugs were reportedly sold directly from his Liberty Lending office in Cedar City, Utah as well as extensively on the Internet.
The dangers association with meth labs are well-known and include risk of contamination with hazardous and toxic chemicals and increased risk of fire and/or explosion. The comparison with UGLs erroneously suggests that the risk of manufacturing underground anabolic steroids is comparable to methamphetamine “cooking” (”Narcotic task force arrest businessman,” July 16).
The lab was similar to one used to make methamphetamines, Fritz-Fuller said, and officers found hazardous powders imported from China to make the steroids, as well as glassware, bottles and labeling.
The powders, testosterone and anabolic steroids found are controlled substances, which can be prosecuted both locally and federally, Fritz-Fuller added.
Law enforcement has unfairly demonized anabolic steroids by making comparisons between anabolic steroid users and methamphetamine/cocaine users. They have tried to convince the general public and the media that anabolic steroids are just as harmful as methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin; similarly, they allege that steroid users represent a dangerous threat to society comparable to users of narcotic drugs.
The credibility of federal and state law enforcement agencies who try to equate anabolic steroids with methamphetamines and narcotic drugs continues to suffer.
Houston DEA Special Agent Zoran Yankovich promotes anti-steroid propaganda with statements such as: “Those arrests today are no different than traditional drug dealers peddling their poison -methamphetamines and cocaine and heroin – on the street corner.”
Similarly, the United States Customs and Border Patrol encourages the suspension of disbelief to justify the steroid witch-hunt, “Steroids are treated like any other illegal drug that threatens the American public – like all illegal narcotics, their sale and possession represent critical links in a larger criminal process, one that funds terrorism, death, and addiction around the world.” Read more
