International Conference on Abuse and Trafficking of Anabolic Steroids

Discussion of the problem of anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse has been generally limited to the context of professional sports and major international sporting events such as the Olympics. Anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse is not, however, limited to professional and 61ite athletes, nor to athletes only, but it has now spread to amateur and lower level athletes as well as to the general public. It is now an issue of great concern because of the significant and increasing percentage of young people involved in steroid abuse. In dealing with this issue, similarities and differences between the trafficking and abuse of steroids and other controlled substances need to be considered. Additionally, it is apparent that the problem of steroid abuse is international in scope and that the control actions that have been taken by only a relatively few nations are insufficient to deal with the problem.