‘Steroids risking the health of a generation’
STEROIDS and image-enhancing drugs are “risking the health of a generation” in Wales.
Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans said the use of image- and performanceenhancing drugs (IPED) is a growing problem, particularly in South Wales.
She said there are “significant harms” associated with such use, including heart disease and liver damage, as well as those related to mental health, including increased aggression and depression.
There is also the risk of infection from injecting drugs.
Addressing a symposium at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which brought together key partners committed to tackling the issue, she said: “The use of IPEDs is not just a problem in sport – it is a wider societal issue.
“There are a worrying number of young people, especially men, purchasing and taking illicit substances for image reasons and some then participating in community sport.
“We must reverse this culture of IPED use if we are to protect a generation of young people from the serious side-effects they can cause.
“Working in strong partnership with third-sector, health, local government and sporting agencies, we can build on the good work already under way and tackle this issue.”
Public Health Wales says it has carried out significant work to address the problem of IPEDs, including the development of the www.ipedinfo.co.uk website to provide information and harm reduction advice for those using or considering the use of IPEDs.
Josie Smith, head of substance misuse at Public Health Wales, said: “Over the past 20 years we have become aware of increasing numbers of people using IPEDs across a wide demographic.
“Changing culture and increasing emphasis on male physique, as well as availability of anabolic steroids, growth hormone and new peptides have led to substantial increases both in use but also potentially in perceived pressure to use these drugs.
“It is vital that we ensure three things: that people are well informed and can access accurate information; that no-one feels pressure to use IPEDs in order to look a certain way or improve performance; and that anyone using or considering IPED use is able to access and engage with health and other services to make informed choices.”
Sport Wales says it is taking a zerotolerance approach to IPED misuse in sport.
Brian Davies, director of Elite Sport at Sport Wales, added: “These are key issues for us because at the heart of sport is fair competition.
“Education, targeted testing and sporting bans are all tools that have been used to ensure the integrity of sport.”