Steroid Use

In response to "My thoughts on where our government is today" by Charlie Dickson.

This blogger discusses the national government in relation to steroid use in sports. He asks whether the states or the nation should decide the legality of steroid use.
I think that it is already established that steroid use by sportsmen is illegal. It is dangerous, and changes the level of competitiveness and legitimacy.
Some may compare this issue to the marijuana controversy; but it is different. Marijuana is legal in some places in very small amounts for medical purposes. Steroids are also widely used in the medical field for an array of legal things. When I had an allergic reaction I was given a type of steroid. But there are different types of steroids that athletes use to increase their performance, not for medical reasons. I don't think there is any lobbying for making this legal. Also, with correct medical records, it is clear whether an athlete is taking them for legal purposes or not.
Imagine the chaos if it was up to the states to decide to make steroid use among athletes legal. If steroid use was made legal in certain places for athletes, which I highly doubt would ever happen, sports would never be the same. Imagine certain teams on steroids playing clean teams!
Charlie comments on Senator George Mitchell's report over illegal steroid use in major league baseball, and believes "it is a bit overkill." Though Charlie feels that Mitchell should have spent time on more important issues I disagree. Showing a strict policy towards illegal use of drugs is a great example. Though it is different than a report on cocaine it still makes an important point. These drugs are used by more than just baseball players. In the bodybuilding industry it is widely used and with very destructive results. Steroids need not be brushed away as unimportant.
In comparison the war in Iraq is a much more important issue at the time being, with unnecessary casualties building every day. But there will always be big issues, and this doesn't mean we have to ignore everything else. Senators must represent their constituencies concerns or else they are not doing their job.
In conclusion steroid use may not be at the top of the totem pole in importance. But, if we ignore this issue it will inevitably give the message of a lenient view of drugs and health. It is established that it is an illegal practice for athletes to use, so it needs to be enforced.