What are the laws and policies for these substances?

Laws regarding an individual's purchase
Because creatine and androstenedione have been classified as supplements, people of any age can purchase these products. However, many sports organizations have either banned or discouraged the use of these substances because of ethical and health-related concerns.

School policies
Most schools will not allow its staff to dispense even so much as an aspirin without written permission and explicit direction from a student's parent or guardian. School personnel are often directed to only dispense drugs, medication or food supplements when the student is under the care of medical professional and then only as prescribed and with parent's written permission. It is for this - and other - reasons that the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee of the NFHS has taken a strong position on school staff member's responsibility concerning both creatine and androstenedione, stating that: "In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes, maintain ethical standards and reduce liability risks, school personnel and coaches should never supply, recommend or permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes."

The NFHS Web site includes the full text of the NFHS position statement about creatine and androstenedione.

Many other organizations have developed policies, regulations, or position statements regarding the use of creatine and androstenedione. Here are some other places where you can get information regarding these policies and regulations. If you know of other sources, please send that information to the attention of Sports Medicine, NFHS, PO Box 20626, Kansas City, MO 64195-0626.

The Minnesota State High School League

The Iowa High School Athletic Association

The National Collegiate Athletic Administration.