We all need to pitch in to help curb illegal steroid use

The Province

May 08, 2007

A s if British Columbians didn't have enough to worry about when it comes to drug-taking, we now learn that there has been an apparent explosion in illegal steroid use.

According to a front-page story by Lena Sin in Sunday's Province, Canadian border officials last year seized more than six times the number of illegal steroids they did in 2005.

Now that may just be because the Canada Border Services Agency is getting better at intercepting the smuggled drugs -- often used by teenagers to bulk up for sports or to impress their buddies.

But the likelihood is that global trafficking in anabolic steroids has simply become an increasingly profitable business.

As SportMedBC chief executive Lynda Cannell points out, scores of suppliers are out there on the Internet luring potential buyers.

And the demand is clearly brisk among those looking for a shortcut to beef up their muscle size and appearance.

What these youngsters ignore are the mental and physical downsides to black-market steroid use, including everything from acne and infertility to paranoia and so-called 'roid rage.

Last month, the World Anti-Doping Agency urged sports groups to help the cops nail the roid dealers and curb the supply of these risky drugs.

Curbing the demand may be more difficult. But is is clear that good education is crucial -- inside and outside school.