The never-ending steroid controversies in professional sports like the major league, football and athletics draws the attention of many critics. They are asking why the government is not implementing tight control on the manufacture and distribution of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. We have reported in our previous blogs how manufacturers of over the counter supplements were able to sell products with anabolic steroids content. At least the FDA already issued warnings on some companies and a public health advisory on the steroid-tainted supplements being sold in the market.

Many think that professional athletes are the major users of anabolic steroids and performance enhancers. Of course, their main objective is to gain competitive advantage. However, experts found out that the increasing demand for steroids were also due to the celebrity-driven image culture of people. The desire to have great physical body is already part of the need for some individuals. They will do everything to achieve the looks that they want. Doing exercises in the gym and lifting weights with added supplements are common. These supplements facilitate the growth and development of muscles. With the popularity of steroids to people conscious about their image, experts says that steroids and other supplements should now be called as performance and image enhancing drugs.

The increasing demand for these performance and image enhancing drugs also drive some people to engage in illegal activities especially in the manufacture and distribution of these substances. The authorities are now alarmed on the growing number of smuggling cases being reported. Countries like the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Australia have intensified their campaign against the illegal entry of these substances. The Customs chief of Australia recently told the media that one of the factors driving demand for the illegal entry of these drugs is the celebrity-driven image culture particularly in Sydney. “We are getting a lot more organized smuggling of performance and image-enhancing drugs. There is a huge increase in the use of these drugs by people who use them because they want to look younger,” he said.

Customs chief Richard Janeczko blamed some celebrities for influencing people to adopt this image culture. “People like Sylvester Stallone are on the record saying that he is an old man jumping around trying to look young,” he said. Stallone was also busted at Sydney Airport in 2007 with 48 vials of the human growth hormone Jintropin.

Authorities said that people are now using more sophisticated and unconventional methods to smuggle these drugs. A 36 year old woman was arrested at Sydney Airport last week of August for illegal steroids. The woman allegedly concealed almost 1000 vials of steroids in a child’s doll, satellite tuner and throughout her luggage. Customs believes that those vials contains testosterone and testosterone enanthate which were bought from Lebanon.

In Melbourne, police were able to seize large amount of steroids from a couple when their car was checked by the authorities. A teenager and 25 year old male from Dandenong were also apprehended for carrying large amount of steroid tablets. An officer from the Moorabbin Regional Response Unit, Mark Zervaas, said that the arrests and seizures have interrupted the flow of amphetamines and steroids to Melbourne’s south east which is only a good thing as these drugs cause significant harm to the youth.

Some people also prefer importing raw materials and process them into anabolic steroids using their homes as a steroid laboratory. A Hawkins County man was caught by Tennessee Highway Patrol with several vials of ingredients used in the manufacture of anabolic steroids and directions to make steroids. Police also found needles and filters used to manufacture these substances. He is now facing numerous charges including possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture testosterone cypionate, possession of meth with intent to deliver, and promotion of manufacturing meth.

The illegal importation, manufacture and distribution of anabolic steroids and other performance and image enhancing drugs will continue to rise as long as the image culture is still there. Over-the-counter supplement’s popularity will not wane. The best thing that the authorities could do is continue to implement stringent measures to curtail illegal entry of these drugs since it can pose harm to the users. Ultimately, educate people on the use of image enhancing drugs. If they know the advantages and disadvantages of these substances, health risks will be avoided.

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