Leagues attack DSHEA to avoid real steroid issue

Steroids are a problem for the sports world. But rather than address this problem, the sports leagues have pointed their fingers at dietary supplements and DSHEA in an attempt to distract Congress and the media from the real issues. Steroids are easily attained, especially if one has the resources that a pro athlete has. A couple of minutes with Google and one can find plenty of sources of actual steroids. Not to mention the many illegal dealers who have been happy to sell these drugs to willing users. There are products being sold illegally as "supplements" that have been intentionally adulterated with controlled substances, and that is already a crime. The legitimate supplement industry has shown its willingness to work with authorities to go after these criminals. DSHEA does not need to change to address this situation. When will the sports leagues openly work on their real problem? Probably not until they are forced to do so. Just look at MLB's handling of the Mark McGwire situation. He admits using steroids (injectable and oral) for a large part of his career, and he is still employed as a hitting coach in the league? Aside from the fact that this was cheating and illegal, his use of steroids also helped him line his pockets with higher wages, more endorsement deals, etc. Here is a link to an image of McGwire's "Got Milk" ads. If you look at the other side of the page, is there a syringe in his back side? Where is the accountability? Yes McGwire apologized. But what about all of the money he made as a result of his cheating? It is estimated that his career salary total from baseball is nearly $75 million. What message does that send to the kids? Cheat, break the law, make money, and then apologize, and it's all good. But rather than address this situation, MLB points at DSHEA. Here is the quote from MLB's executive VP for labor relations that appears on the USADA "Supplement Safety Now" website:

"These unscrupulous supplement manufacturers intentionally exploit loopholes in the federal regulations by selling product containing drugs and marketing it as 'safe' and 'legal.' Congress needs to act now to close these loopholes."

The only loopholes that need to be closed are those that allow athletes to use steroids and allow the leagues to turn their heads. With all due respect to USADA and Sen. John McCain, the leagues are using you to deflect attention from the real steroid problem. And they are doing it at the expense of our industry.