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Steroids: Concern over illegal production increase in Wales | Steroids: Concern over illegal production increase in Wales |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The number of underground 'steroid labs' in Wales which sell illegal performance-enhancing drugs has risen and is a cause for concern, says Public Health Wales (PHW). | The number of underground 'steroid labs' in Wales which sell illegal performance-enhancing drugs has risen and is a cause for concern, says Public Health Wales (PHW). |
The situation is getting worse because of a new law making it harder to import steroids, health officials have said. | The situation is getting worse because of a new law making it harder to import steroids, health officials have said. |
Pharmacists and drugs workers have also reported seeing more steroid users accessing needle exchange programmes. | Pharmacists and drugs workers have also reported seeing more steroid users accessing needle exchange programmes. |
Injecting steroids can cause ulcers and gynecomastia - where men grow breasts. | Injecting steroids can cause ulcers and gynecomastia - where men grow breasts. |
It also increases the risk of developing hepatitis or HIV. | It also increases the risk of developing hepatitis or HIV. |
Until last year, users could buy steroids online from outside the UK and get them delivered. | Until last year, users could buy steroids online from outside the UK and get them delivered. |
But the law changed meaning users have to bring them into the country personally. | But the law changed meaning users have to bring them into the country personally. |
Amateur sportsman Peter (not his real name) said the steroid user is easy to spot in the gym. | Amateur sportsman Peter (not his real name) said the steroid user is easy to spot in the gym. |
"You might see someone coming to the gym and they're not eating properly and not training properly yet the next time you see them they are about 100% stronger than they were a week or two before," he said. | "You might see someone coming to the gym and they're not eating properly and not training properly yet the next time you see them they are about 100% stronger than they were a week or two before," he said. |
He told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales programme that illegal steroids could be found by word-of-mouth. | He told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales programme that illegal steroids could be found by word-of-mouth. |
"The odd person produces it themselves. Say they've done a bio-chemical degree or something like that... they might have their own little lab set up," he explained. | "The odd person produces it themselves. Say they've done a bio-chemical degree or something like that... they might have their own little lab set up," he explained. |
'Not regulated' | 'Not regulated' |
"They may have something which is five times stronger than the regular stuff. They can sort of tailor-make it. | "They may have something which is five times stronger than the regular stuff. They can sort of tailor-make it. |
"Someone takes your order, the person knocks them up, and they get sold on." | "Someone takes your order, the person knocks them up, and they get sold on." |
Josie Smith, the national lead for substance misuse with Public Health Wales said: "Because of the change in the law our concern is there is an increase in the manufacture of steroids and image-enhancing drugs in underground labs," she said. | Josie Smith, the national lead for substance misuse with Public Health Wales said: "Because of the change in the law our concern is there is an increase in the manufacture of steroids and image-enhancing drugs in underground labs," she said. |
"These are not regulated; the substances they are manufacturing are not regulated. | "These are not regulated; the substances they are manufacturing are not regulated. |
"My understanding is that some are quite well-run laboratories. However I am aware also that perhaps some less conscientious individuals may be trying to produce substances in garages." | "My understanding is that some are quite well-run laboratories. However I am aware also that perhaps some less conscientious individuals may be trying to produce substances in garages." |
It is legal to possess steroids for personal use as long they have not been manufactured on the black market but it is illegal to make or supply steroids without a licence. | It is legal to possess steroids for personal use as long they have not been manufactured on the black market but it is illegal to make or supply steroids without a licence. |
Bruce Davies, professor of applied physiology at University of South Wales, said one of the main problems with people taking anabolic steroids is non-sterile injection. | Bruce Davies, professor of applied physiology at University of South Wales, said one of the main problems with people taking anabolic steroids is non-sterile injection. |
"If on top of that you super-impose a situation where the materials they're injecting could also be non-sterile I think you've already exacerbated an already serious problem," he added. | |
The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) says the steroid trade is closely linked to the supply of class A drugs. | The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) says the steroid trade is closely linked to the supply of class A drugs. |
The mark-up in profit on steroids can be around 400% according to the agency. | The mark-up in profit on steroids can be around 400% according to the agency. |
Professor Martin Davies, a pharmacist working in Newport, said steroid users were increasingly accessing needle exchange programmes, originally aimed at heroin users. | Professor Martin Davies, a pharmacist working in Newport, said steroid users were increasingly accessing needle exchange programmes, originally aimed at heroin users. |
"Going back two to three years the number of (steroid using) clients we were seeing was about three to four percent of those who came in," he said. | "Going back two to three years the number of (steroid using) clients we were seeing was about three to four percent of those who came in," he said. |
"That has now increased to 30-40%." | "That has now increased to 30-40%." |
Experts warn the next generation of performance enhancing drugs is already emerging - a mixture of bacteria and genes injected into muscles. | Experts warn the next generation of performance enhancing drugs is already emerging - a mixture of bacteria and genes injected into muscles. |
Prof Davies said: "The two things I'm always amazed about are the pharmacological knowledge that these people have and how quickly the drugs are made available to body builders. | Prof Davies said: "The two things I'm always amazed about are the pharmacological knowledge that these people have and how quickly the drugs are made available to body builders. |
"We're talking weeks, weeks, and they're using these things." | "We're talking weeks, weeks, and they're using these things." |
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