US territory to chemically castrate sex offenders

By NewsGram Staff Writer

US island territory of Guam has passed a bill wherein sex offenders will be chemically castrated before release on parole.

The "Chemical Castration for Sex Offenders Act" would establish a four-year pilot program that would allow authorities to require anti-androgen treatment, which lowers the patient's sex drive, as a condition of parole for qualifying inmates, USA Today reports.

"This is a good day for the island of Guam," said Republican Senator Brant McCreadie, who introduced the bill.

At least nine U.S. states including California and Florida have tried chemical castration as an option for sexual offenders, with varying procedures.

But it also has side effects, such as osteoporosis, changes in cardiovascular health, blood fat levels, blood pressure and symptoms that mimic women's menopause.