WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (AFP) - US lawmakers passed legislation allowing tighter government regulation of steroid precursors here Monday, one day after the death of former baseball star Ken Caminiti, an admitted steroid user.
The Anabolic Steroid Control Act would add androstenedione, norandrosterone and similar testosterone-production enhancing substances to a list of anabolic steroids regarded as controlled substances.
The legislation allows the US Drug Enforcement Agency to regulate these products as anabolic steroids under the Controlled Substances Act.
Mark McGwire admitted taking andro during a record-breaking 70 home run season in 1998, back when the substance was not banned by the US baseball league, which only began steroid testing of players this season.
"This important legislation will help us reach our goal of zero tolerance in the battle against steroids," major league commissioner Bud Selig said.
"This will allow us to test for steroid precursors, just as we are currently testing for steroids, as part of our regular testing."
A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act, toughening penalties for anabolic steroid offenses near sports facilities, was put forth on March 1 and passed by the US House of Representatives in June.
Caminiti, who played in the major leagues for 15 years, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday at age 41. He had admitted to using steroids during his Most Valuable Player season in 1996, when he hit .326 with 40 homers and 130 runs batted in for the San Diego Padres.
As with athletics, baseball has been criticized since the BALCO Labs steroid scandal broke a year ago.
BALCO founder Victor Conte and vice president James Valente, athletics coach Remi Korchemny and Greg Anderson, the personal trainer for baseball star Barry Bonds, have all pleaded not guilty to steroid distribution charges in the case.
Grand jury testimony saw many top sports figures testify, including San Francisco star Bonds and Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees.
Drug testing was a key part of the labor deal baseball club owners signed with players in 2002. After between five and seven percent of players tested positive in anonymous testing last year, a tougher testing programme was installed, although global sports officials have called relatively light penalties by Olympic standards laughable.