Every time we talk about anabolic steroids, controversies in sports and its side effects always comes out. Anabolic steroids are used to treat some health conditions but it was given a bad reputation because of misuse by some people especially in professional sports like baseball and football. The US government already put anabolic steroids as a controlled substance under schedule III drug classification. However, federal authorities like the FDA still have many problems in curtailing the illegal manufacture, distribution and use of steroids.

The country is not alone in this problem. European countries are already alarmed on the increasing number of people using steroids. In Finland alone, there is an estimated 10,000 steroid users who are mostly into bodybuilding. The government of Finland wants to address this problem thru information campaign. They recently launched an anti-doping website with the objective of informing people on the dangers of using bodybuilding drugs in just trying to attain a perfect body.

The site which was named Dopinglinkki was launched Wednesday. According to Mia-Veera Koivisto of the A-Clinic Foundation, the site does not only aim to provide steroid information to users, but also to concerned family members, healthcare workers and gym personnel. The site has an interactive feature where visitors can ask questions and will be answered by an expert.

An online site YLE.fi reported that authorities in Finland are now exploring whether new legislations are needed to stop the illegal use of steroids. Under the current laws, possession of anabolic steroid is not illegal but importation and distribution are punishable offenses.

Meanwhile, a report from mirror.co.uk revealed that the United Kingdom showed an increase in the use of bodybuilding supplements. Based on hospital records, there was an increase of 64% of patients who were hospitalized due to anabolic steroids. From 1,606 cases five years ago it increased dramatically to 2,660 cases in 2008.

On the other hand, the apprehension of people engaging in the importation and distribution of anabolic steroids declined. From 2005 to 2007, only 41 people were found guilty of using or selling steroids. This is way below from the numbers before 2005. Based on the records the government was able to prosecute 800 people with steroid related cases. Don Foster, Lib Dem sport spokesman, said that the ministers were not taking the issue seriously. He said that there was little information about the dangers of taking illegal anabolic steroids which usually results to health problems. “It is far too easy to obtain them and avoid prosecution for supplying them illegally,” Foster added.

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