Wales: Steep rise in people seeking advice for steroid use

February 2, 2015

Steroid abuse – at least 10,000 people injecting

Exclusive figures given to ITV Cymru Wales show a steep rise in the number of people seeking advice for steroid use.

Between 2012 and 2014 the Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline has seen a near 50% rise in calls about steroids. In addition, a report due next month is expected to show more than half of the people using needle exchanges in Wales are on steroids and other image enhancing drugs. Steroids are traditionally testosterone based and can be injected or taken orally. They work on a cellular level, by simulating protein production which in turn aids muscle growth.

“The data is telling us certainly that we know just under ten thousand current steroid and image enhancing drug injectors who are in contact with our services but we would estimate that’s the tip of the iceberg.”

– JOSIE SMITH, PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

There are a number of health risks associated with using steroids and other image enhancing drugs, on top of the risks surrounding needle use. http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-01-30/steep-rise-in-people-seeking-advice-for-steroid-use/