Up to a million people in Britain could be using steroids on a regular basis, a Sky News investigation has found. Sky’s Paul Kelso reports. Anabolic steroid use is exploding in the United Kingdom, with current reports and statistics putting the number at up to 1m regular users.
[contentblock id=1 img=adsense.png]
A Sky News investigation finds police officers and children as young as 13 are using steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.
Up to a million people in Britain could be illicitly using steroids on a regular basis, a Sky News investigation has found.
Police officers and children as young as 13 are among the rising number of people using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.
Interviews with drug workers, current and former users and academics reveal that steroid use has moved from the sub-culture of muscle gyms to the mainstream, with young men seeking a chemical shortcut to hone their physique.
The increase in the number of users has led to concerns about the long-term health risks of substances that promote muscle growth, but can cause organ damage and lead to psychological problems.
The use of injectable steroids also carries a risk of infection from blood-borne diseases, with steroid users who share needles vulnerable to HIV and hepatitis.
Public Health England (PHE) told Sky News more needs to be done to combat the issue.
“More does need to be done, this is a growing issue, there are significant health harms associated with steroids,” said Peter Burkinshaw of PHE.
Drug workers across the UK report a huge rise in the number of steroid users taking advantage of needle exchange services, where they now outnumber all other drug users combined.
There are no nationwide statistics for the number of steroid users, but informed estimates based on the evidence of local drug services put the number possibly as high as one million.
[contentblock id=5 img=adsense.png]
via Sky News