Many “insecure” young athletes and sports enthusiasts are taking a lot of risk with the use of pills and supplements that have been put together in a “cement mixer” from a developing country. Because of this, drug experts have issued a warning about “magic potions” being sold in health shops and some gyms that contain banned substances. According to them, these supplements are not regulated and about 20 percent have banned substances which can cause sports enthusiasts and athletes to be convicted of doping.

Clinical professor of medicine and pharmacology in UCC, Professor Brendan Buckley said that the garda drug squads believe that about €30,000 per month worth of illegal anabolic steroids are being imported into Cork each month. It is advisable to know that Serious health risks can develop by long term use and excessive doses of anabolic steroids. Some of these are harmful changes in the user’s cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, liver damage, acne and dangerous changes in the structure of the heart’s left ventricle.

Improper use of the anabolic steroids in bodybuilding and steroids is very much controversial and because of its adverse effect and potential to gain advantage conventionally, the use of these drugs are considered “cheating.” Use of anabolic steroids is considered as doping and is banned by all major sporting bodies. For many years now, the most detected doping substance in IOC accredited laboratories are the AAS. Countries banning AAS usually have a black market where smuggled or counterfeit drugs are being sold to users.

Professor Buckley who speaks on the role of medicine sports at the Irish Medical Organizations said that some legal sports supplements are dangerous for adolescents because it will make them grow muscles but their frames are not yet mature. Usually, sports supplements make false claims and their composition is not really declared on the labels so the chemical compositions may not be known.

Doping agents being used to boost performance are being trafficked in the same illegal supply chain of narcotics. These drugs are easily available on the internet and widely available in the locality especially in gyms. About 100 percent of bodybuilders are on anabolic steroids and this makes sports people and adolescent males insecure. According to Buckley, gyms in educational institutions are a good place to get these agents and cheating can actually be taking a combination of drugs.

Currently, there are sports bodies alerted for competitors showing a great improvement in performance or returning after an absence and looking very different physically.
He also added that the rules for athletes are now becoming intrusive, the top 30 rugby players are required to inform the Sports Council of their location all the time and give a guaranteed hour where they can be tested. Athletes have also bought into this and want to show the council that they are clean.

A myth in Ireland says that doping is only appropriate for professional athletes and “amateurs” should not be subjected to it. But Professor Buckley said that the athletes who are earning their living from sports in Ireland are in the minority of those being tested. There are just about 10 percent who are fully professional, 75 percent have some kind of sponsorship through state funding and about 25 percent have no funding.

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