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Whereas, Steroid therapy is used to treat many illnesses including

ulcerative colitis, lupus, asthma, rheumatic fever, allergies and numerous

other problems with millions of prescriptions being written each year; and

Whereas, When prescribed and used correctly, synthetic steroid

hormones can work wonders and reduce side effects, but when safeguards

are ignored, serious problems can result, lives can be devastated and

fatalities can occur; and

Whereas, Steroid use is the most common cause of Cushing’s

syndrome, which affects almost every system in the body, and Dr. David

Orth of Vanderbilt University estimates that 250,000 people a year develop

Cushing’s syndrome from prolonged use of steroids; and

Whereas, Other serious side effects of steroid use include

hypertension, numerous skin problems, myopathy, suppression of the

immune response, depression, hair loss, arthritis, coronary artery disease,

osteoporosis, cataracts, sleep disorders, tremors, headaches, and growth

retardation in children; and

Whereas, Steroid-induced medical problems can mimic many other

medical conditions which often causes physicians to treat symptoms instead

of recognizing the underlying problem; and

Whereas, Manufacturers are not required to label the outside

packaging of their products as containing "steroid" ingredients, and

unsuspecting consumers are caught unaware of the possible side effects and

of the manufacturers’ recommended precautions regarding usage of these

medications; and

Whereas, Prescription medicines that contain steroid ingredients

include nasal sprays, eye drops, bronchial inhalers, skin creams, ointments

and lotions, and many physicians fail to inform their patients adequately

about steroids in their medications and the associated risks and

recommended precautions; and

Whereas, Many products that contain steroid ingredients are available

without prescription, such as many anti-wrinkle creams, and are used by

consumers without medical supervision and without knowledge that the

products contain steroids or why that fact is important; and

Whereas, Leslie W. Ortega of Las Vegas, Nevada, has founded the

Steroid Warning Network, a nonprofit organization devoted to providing

information and emotional support for those who suffer from steroid-

related medical problems, which is currently working for federal legislation

mandating the labeling of products that contain steroid ingredients; and

Whereas, The Steroid Warning Network has created an Internet

website whose address is lvrj.com/communitylink/steroidwarning that

disseminates this information internationally; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada,

Jointly, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature

do hereby urge the Congress of the United States to adopt legislation

mandating that all products containing a steroid ingredient, including over-

the-counter products and prescription drugs, be externally labeled as

containing a "steroid" ingredient by the manufacturer and include inside the

packaging an insert of information regarding:

1. The percentage of each steroid contained in the product;

2. Possible adverse reactions and side effects related to the use of the

product, some of which may appear after cessation of its use; and

3. The smallest dosage judged to be effective with strong

recommendations regarding limited duration of use; and be it further

Resolved, That the Nevada Legislature hereby supports efforts of the

Steroid Warning Network to inform consumers of the problems related to

the use of products containing steroid ingredients and to assist those

already adversely affected; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

copy of this resolution to the Vice President of the United States as the

presiding officer of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of

Representatives, each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation and

Leslie W. Ortega, Founder of the Steroid Warning Network; and be it

further

Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

approval.

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