Anabolic steroid users represent the largest client at needle exchange programs in the United Kingdom according to the weekly current affairs magazine, the New Statesman (”Shape of the future: observations on bodybuilding,” April 17).
The New Statesman magazine also identifies some disturbing trends in steroid use in the U.K.
But rates of steroid use aren’t the only thing that’s changing: so is the type of person who uses the drugs.
According to Martin Chandler, a specialist in steroid use at Liverpool John Moores University, the rise is caused by people “younger and less knowledgeable” than their previous counterparts. “What scares me is their limited research and understanding,” he says.
According to Martin Chandler, the increasing number of young people using steroids is due to aesthetic (body image) concerns and not performance enhancement concerns.
If the demographic of steroid users is changing, so too are their motivations. Among older users, the drugs were often taken as a means to open up non-academic job opportunities. This was particularly true in former manufacturing towns. When manual workers found themselves unable to make a living in the old industries, they often trained as security staff, bouncers or police officers to continue making a living through their bodies.
But, unlike mining and manufacturing work, for instance, these new careers did not develop appropriate physiques “on the job”. Being a doorman might require a big build, but the job itself is more likely to cultivate guts than shoulders. Hence the rise of gym culture, and steroids.
Now, according to Chandler, it is fashion rather than function that motivates the younger generation to pump up: “Ultimately, what new users are concerned with is body image. It’s got nothing to do with performance gain - it’s about aesthetic.” The trend is not surprising. Men’s magazines are booming; there are also flourishing industries in male health, diet and supplements. Meanwhile, multimillion-dollar advertising budgets are pulling in actors and sportsmen to sponsor the “male ideal”.
Fortunately, the harm reduction programs offer an additional opportunity at steroid education hopefully improving the health of steroid users.
Dynamic Sports Nutrition, Inc., owner of Steroid.com website, filed a civil lawsuit in February 2008 against Elite Fitness Inc. and Caliber Design, Inc., owner of EliteFitness.com, requesting injunctive relief for copyright infringement. At issue is the electronic book (ebook) formerly marketed by Elite Fitness entitled “Anabolic Gameplan by Dino Strong.”
An out of court settlement appeared likely until this week when the owner of Elite Fitness sent out an email newsletter which, in part, offered insight into Elite Fitness’ legal strategy to defend themselves against the copyright infringement lawsuit.
So, we’re off to the races defending a lawsuit over something I did not even write and spending thousands in the process. The irony here is that most likely, the judge will find that the copyright for Brian and Anthony’s book is invalid. To add insult to injury, according to my friend Bill Llewellyn, who authors the Anabolics series that he updates every year, Anthony and Brian plagiarized his work extensively when they wrote their book Anabolic Steroids Ultimate Research Guide that they claim Dino infringed. And Bill has agreed to testify on our behalf. The good part of Bill’s testifying is that Anthony and Brian cannot enforce a copyright that is shown to be invalid itself.
In other words, the defense hopes to invalidate the January 26, 2006 certificate of registration for Anabolic Steroids Ultimate Research Guide on file with the United States Copyright Office because the work allegedly infringed on the copyright for Anabolics 2007 by William Llewellyn by copying steroid information tables and charts. Apparently, if the certificate of registration is invalidated, then Elite Fitness believes Dynamic Nutrition no longer has a legal basis to claim copyright infringement.
This is a dispassionate overview of what I believe are the pertinent facts in the legal battle between Steroid.com and Elitefitness.com.
But the public relations battle, no matter how irrelevant to the legal case, will likely overshadow the legal battle, at least on the internet. Anthony Roberts, senior editor of Steroid.com, has been blogging about the deteriorating relationship with Elite Fitness for several months. George Spellwin finally responded publicly with a scathing attack on Anthony Roberts and Steroid.com in an email newsletter to members this week. In response, Anthony Roberts has addressed all allegations with multiple blog entries on his website yesterday and today providing background and insight into the animosity surrounding the lawsuit. Regrettably, I expect the acrimonious exchange to continue to the detriment of all involved.
The fact remains, however, that synthetic designer steroids are considered unapproved new drugs, and are NOT covered by DSHEA as legal dietary supplements…
Andro, norandro etc were covered by DSHEA because you could find them in most animals, and hence in the food supply. No animals, plants, etc naturally produce DMT, Epistane, methyl, 1-4ADD, etc etc.
It should be noted that Quincy’s new sponsor IBE disagrees since other supplement companies selling it (everyone else is doing it). Quincy Taylor also states that Epistane is legal and notes that steroids are not sold in supplement stores and supplements are not sold in pharmacies.
A legal supplement sold over the counter at many fine supplement stores. Funny my pharmacy never sold epistane, haladrol, phera or any of those. I’ve never seen any of those in any pharmacy. Hmmm I only seen to find them sold legally at supplement stores. So if I go out on the street with Haladrol and get pulled over will I be arrested? This is a foolish conversation and this is where it ends. That’s my answer.
I’ve been staying in touch with director Chris Bell since I first learned he was making a steroid documentary. I have talked to several of the “stars” of the movie such as William Llewellyn, Rick Collins, and John Romano regarding their interviews and their appearances in “Bigger Stronger Faster.” I have interviewed Chris about the steroid documentary just before its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. All indicators suggest it will be a well-received and perhaps even a commercial success. Hopefully, it will come to a theater near you soon. If you are not fortunate enough to see the movie at Sundance, please enjoy the following movie posters for the steroid documentary, “Bigger Stronger Faster*,” in the meantime.
Last night was the world premier of Christopher Bell’s steroid documentary, “Bigger, Stronger, Faster - Is It Still Cheating if Everyone is Doing it?” at the Sundance Film Festival. I hope it wins the prize. It features dozens of people, both pro-steroid and anti-steroid, including Rick Collins, William Llewellyn, and John Romano. I just interviewed the director Chris Bell and will post the transcript of my interview with him shortly!
