Govt adding drugs to class C list
The government has added another 26 drugs to the list of class C narcotics, meaning they will be punisheable by a fine or even a prison sentence.
Twenty-four of the drugs are anabolic steroids while a further two are growth promoters. Most of them are already banned by sports authorities, but are not actually illegal.
“Some people, in particular those who aspire to Olympic success, may think that anabolic steroids can enhance their performance but they can in fact have serious health consequences,” said Home Office minister Vernon Coaker.
Minister for sport Gerry Sutcliffe added: “With the London 2012 Games coming ever closer we must ensure that drug cheats and those supplying and trafficking banned substances have no place to hide.”
Fifty-four anabolic steroids and five growth hormones are already on the list of illicit drugs.
The use of anabolic steroids to enhance strength and physique has become increasingly common both for athletes and gym fanatics, but the medical community believe there are serious psychiatric and physical risks.
The drugs can cause an increase in levels of aggression and violence, increase the risk of infections, high blood pressure, liver disease, stroke and heart failure.
The banned drugs are:
1-Androstendiol
1-Androstendione
Boldione
Gestrinone
Danazol
Desoexoymethyltestosterone
19-Norandrostenedione
Prostanozol
Tetrahydrogestrinone
Dihydrotestosterone
5<-Androstane-3<,17<-diol>
5<-Androstane-3<,17r-diol>
5<-Androstane-3r,17<-diol>
5<-Androstane-3r,17r-diol>
Androst-4-ene-3r,17r-diol (‘Androstenediol’)
Androst-4-ene-3<,17<-diol>
Androst-4-ene-3<,17r-diol>
Androst-4-ene-3r,17<-diol>
5-Androstenedione
Epidihydrotestosterone
3<-Hydroxy-5<-androstan-17-one>
3r-Hydroxy-5<-androstan-17-one>
19-Norandrosterone
19-Noretiocholanolone.
The two growth promoters are Zeranol and Zilpaterol.
