HOME OFFICE News
Release (142/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 7 August 2008
People who take
drugs to enhance their physical appearance, including those who
aspire to take part in the 2012 London Olympics, are being warned
against using anabolic steroids as the Government today announced
its intention to add a further 24 anabolic steroids and two growth
promoters to the list of those already classed as Class C drugs.
These drugs are already banned by sports authorities but they are
not illegal at present.
The Government recognises the harms associated with the use of
anabolic steroids and today's move is to ensure that our drug
controls are up to date, with the latest evidence of harms and
availability of this group of drugs. These controls continue to be
aimed at suppliers and traffickers who profit from selling and
supplying these substances.
Fifty-four anabolic steroids and five growth hormones have been
controlled as Class C drugs since 1996. Although a small number of
people use anabolic steroids to enhance their physique and
strength, steroids can cause serious psychiatric and physical
problems. They are associated with aggression and violence, an
increased risk of infections and in the longer term high blood
pressure, liver disease, stroke and heart failure.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:
"I am pleased to support the work of the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport, and law enforcement, to clamp down on
drugs in sport. Some people, in particular those who aspire to
Olympic success, may think that anabolic steroids can enhance
their performance but they can in fact have serious health consequences.
"Today's move will ensure that our controls, aimed at
illicit suppliers, are up to date. In addition, we will continue
to do all we can to tackle drug misuse in the most effective way
possible through tough enforcement; education; information
campaigns; and, where appropriate, treatment. Law enforcement
agencies will work alongside sporting bodies to ensure that these
new measures are effective against the small minority who choose
to misuse drugs in this way."
Together with the Home Office the Department for Culture, Media
and Sport asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to
consider the list of anabolic steroids and growth promoters by
reference to the World Anti-Doping Code. The decision today
complements the cross-government work with partner agencies around
drugs in sport in the run up to the 2012 London Olympics.
Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe said:
"With the London 2012 Games coming ever closer we must
ensure that drug cheats and those supplying and trafficking banned
substances have no place to hide. The controls announced today
will toughen our stance even further and follows calls from WADA
for enforcement agencies to be more involved in the fight against
drugs in sport.
"We are working hard on that front alongside the Home
Office, Serious Organised Crime Agency, Association of Chief
Police Officers, Revenue and Customs and UK Sport. The setting up
of a new National Anti-Doping Agency ahead of London 2012 will
strengthen our approach and stop those trying to beat the system
in their tracks."
The Government also announced its intention to consider controls
for the chemical precursors Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4
butanediol (also known as 1,4-BD). When ingested rapidly, they
convert to gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which is a Class C drug
and has been cited in cases of date rape. The Advisory Council on
the Misuse of Drugs found they were increasingly being used as a
legal substitute for GHB, particularly as a "club drug",
and can lead to dependence if used regularly, unconsciousness and
even death by intoxication. Alongside the Advisory Council's
provisional recommendation that they should be controlled Class C
drugs, the Government will consider other ways in which their
availability can be restricted for illegitimate use. Any controls
must take full account of the legitimate use of these precursors.
In coming months the Government will consult with the chemical
industry, which uses it widely as an industrial solvent, and the
wider public.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Government warns young people about the ill effects of
anabolic steroid use through the FRANK drug awareness campaign at
http://www.talktofrank.com/drugs.aspx?id=170.
The 24 steroids and two growth promoters are on the web at http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs-laws/acmd/.
They are:
1-Androstendiol
1-Androstendione
Boldione
Gestrinone
Danazol
Desoexoymethyltestosterone
19-Norandrostenedione
Prostanozol
Tetrahydrogestrinone
Dihydrotestosterone
5<-Androstane-3<,17<-diol
5<-Androstane-3<,17r-diol
5<-Androstane-3r,17<-diol
5<-Androstane-3r,17r-diol
Androst-4-ene-3r,17r-diol ('Androstenediol')
Androst-4-ene-3<,17<-diol
Androst-4-ene-3<,17r-diol
Androst-4-ene-3r,17<-diol
5-Androstenedione
Epidihydrotestosterone
3<-Hydroxy-5<-androstan-17-one
3r-Hydroxy-5<-androstan-17-one
19-Norandrosterone
19-Noretiocholanolone.
The two growth promoters are Zeranol and Zilpaterol.
2. The Drug Misuse Declared Survey 2007/08 is on the web at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb0708.pdf.
3. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 it is an offence to
produce, supply, possess with intent to supply, and import and
export with intent to supply anabolic steroids. The penalty for
supply can be up to 14 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited
fine. However, it is not an offence to possess them when they are
in the form of a medicinal product. Anyone found in possession of
anabolic steroids may face arrest if there is evidence of dealing
of possession with intent to supply to others.
4. Fewer than one per cent of 11 to 15 year olds took anabolic
steroids in the last year, according to the Information
Centre's survey of young people, while only 0.1 per cent of
adults took anabolic steroids in 2007/08. Nonetheless the
Government is determined to take tough action against these
harmful drugs.
5. The Information Centre's "Drug Use, Smoking and
Drinking Among Young People in England 2007", which was
published on 17 July 2008, is on the web at http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles-related-surveys/smoking-drinking-and-drug-use-among-young-people-in-england/drug-use-smoking-and-drinking-among-young-people-in-england-2007.