Bush signs bill to limit steroid precursors

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush on Friday signed legislation to curtail sales of steroid precursors and seeks to stiffen penalties for offenses involving anabolic steroids.

The legislation adds 18 substances to the list of banned anabolic steroids, including androstenedione and tetrahydrogestrinone.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the law establishes a new grant program, which will provide $15 million to teach kids about the dangers of steroids.

It directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review the federal sentencing guidelines and consider amending those guidelines to provide for increased penalties.

When the legislation passed the Senate earlier this month and sent to the president, Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del, said the measure sends a message about these substances. "We are calling them what they really are: drugs," Biden said.

Congress took an increased interest in the issue this year after reports of steroid use among athletes, particularly professional baseball players. A federal grand jury in San Francisco has indicted four men on charges of illegally distributing steroids, including the personal trainer of Giants slugger Barry Bonds.