NZ Herald ... Drug Free Sport

[Monolith]

May have already posted up .... share your opinion.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10866731

Drug Free Sport leader blames obsession with looking good and worries about spillover into pro and amateur ranks.

An increasing obsession with appearance and body shape has led to a spike in the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in gymnasiums, the head of New Zealand's anti-doping agency says.

Drug Free Sport New Zealand chief executive Graeme Steel said a drug culture was developing in gyms which could spill over into professional and amateur sport.

He told a parliamentary committee yesterday that New Zealand did not appear to have the same rate of doping among its sportspeople as in Australia, where a damning report this month revealed widespread use of banned substances such as peptides and hormones.

But he said steroid use was increasing among gym users, mostly out of an obsession with looking good.

"There's seemingly now a much broader part of the community that is interested in getting bigger and looking better. And that's where steroids work."

Steroids were legal to use, but not to import or prescribe, Mr Steel said.

A gym had approached Drug Free Sport to express its concern about the increase in steroid use. It had developed a code of conduct that it hoped other gyms would follow.

Mr Steel said sportspeople were sharing gyms with steroid users such as body-builders, and could be drawn into substance abuse.

"The danger for us is that [body-building] brings more steroids into the country, into the market, and athletes are in those same gymnasia and there's a potential that they may deliberately or not deliberately get involved with that.

"[body-builders] are probably the heaviest users and therefore part of the distribution network for those drugs. If they are using, then, as with many other drugs, it may be the next step is them selling in the gym alongside rugby players and athletes and cyclists. There is a potential for that to flow," Mr Steel said.

Customs confirmed that seizures of steroids and gamma-aminobutyric acid (Gaba, used for toning muscles) had increased at the border.

In 2011, 13.5kg of steroids and 63kg of Gaba were seized, compared with just 190 grams of steroids and 1.1kg of Gaba in 2008.

Gym operators told the Herald that steroid-users were mostly confined to body-building or weight-lifting facilities, but the drug was sometimes found in mainstream fitness clubs.

Club Physical chief executive Paul Richards said he was forced to ban a husband and wife from his Te Atatu branch because they were openly dealing in steroids. "They seem to go from gym to gym and get banned from each one. It's short-term thinking; all they want to do is get big. When you're in your 20s, you're not thinking long-term. It's all ego and vanity without any sort of future," he said.

NZ Muscle Nutrition and Bodybuilding general manager Gavin Makins said it was difficult to detect steroid use because it was mostly underground.

Dr Nigel Harris, a senior lecturer in sports and exercise science at the Auckland University of Technology, said: "When you are dealing with any drug that is designed to interfere with the body's natural hormonal processes, you set off a veritable cascade of hormonal events, and a lot of those aren't even known."

Dark power

* Anabolic steroids influence the body's natural hormonal processes.

* Bodybuilders, sportspeople and athletes take them to lift performance and physical appearance.

* Side-effects include shrinking of the testicles, severe acne and aggression or "roid rage".

* Steroid abuse also implicated in cardiovascular disease, liver damage, infertility and loss of libido and mental illness. In some cases users have died.

My Response:

WOW! How to write about a topic and get the facts completely wrong!

Points the finger at bodybuilders when cycling has one of the worst records of them all. If you want to stop athletes using them in sports TEST EVERYONE. But the reality is most sports cannot afford to participate in the testing programs administered because of cost (Woman Cycling Worlds was canned here in NZ recently because of this). I wonder how much more money you would earn Mr Drug Testing NZ if every sport did test everyone.

So the answer is then to completely outlaw them according to Mr drug testing. Well what if they are a legitimate anti-aging medication.

Quote "Steroid abuse also implicated in >>> loss of libido and mental illness" - ... very odd then that they are prescribed by specialists at mens clinics to counteract these symptoms.

Quote "In some cases users have died." -- if they did it was from testosterone use.

... more users of Vitamin C have died guaranteed. .... Well lets look at VITAMIN C first shall we ... Symptoms & Side-effects Vitamin C

Consuming this vitamin more than recommended limits, it may cause stomach ache, gas, and diarrhea. Although the body would use as much as it requires, the overdose would specifically hinder the body’s metabolic activities. Lower abdominal cramps, sleep disturbances, fatigue, nausea, increased urination, flushed face, headache, and an improved risk of developing kidney stones, could be some of its other side-effects.

Seeing that Vitamin C enhances iron absorption, overdose of this vitamin can actually affect people suffering from iron-overload diseases. People having kidney stones should take medical advice on their consumption of Vitamin C. Any pregnant lady must also take recommended dose; otherwise overdose of this vitamin can later develop scurvy in child. Hemochromatosis patients must strictly avoid Vitamin C because of enhanced accrual of non-heme iron in the company of this vitamin.

- See more at: http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/ ... LXdE9.dpuf

Quote "Bodybuilders are probably the heaviest users" ... great use of factual statistics there. Actually bodybuilders are not these days - its the general admission guys doing it now > actual bodybuilders (stage dwellers) are so few in number. Statements like this basically encourage average Joe public to make assumptions of those that make the stage.

Quote "In 2011, 13.5kg of steroids and 63kg of Gaba were seized, compared with just 190 grams of steroids and 1.1kg of Gaba in 2008." ... Sounds like an epidemic > why are the police and government even chasing "P". There are probably more gym goers using P than steroids ffs.

"Dark Power" ... All 13.5kg of it LOL! In 2009 NZ Customs seize 1.2 tonnes of pseudo ephedrine which is used to make methamphetamine (P). The some total meth manufactured from this amount would be worth well over a billion dollars ... and that's just the stuff we caught on the way through.

"roid rage"... this is a myth and is disputed by most reputable mental health professionals.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/new ... d=10866731

[Phedder]

Points the finger at bodybuilders when cycling has one of the worst records of them all.

It has a bad record because it's actually tested... Not many BB federations perform drug tests. I don't have any numbers, but I'd definitely think more competitive bodybuilders use steroids and PEDs than competitive cyclists. It may be unfair to point the finger, but if you're after a source in your local gym who are you going to approach? The 120kg ripped and vascular behemoth or the much smaller guy who rides his bike a lot?

If you want to stop athletes using them in sports TEST EVERYONE.

I completely agree, but as you said it's a matter of funding. It's far too expensive to test everyone, great if you can afford to but that's just not the case for most. Are you saying if they can't afford to test everyone, it's better not to test at all?

Quote "Steroid abuse also implicated in >>> loss of libido and mental illness" - ... very odd then that they are prescribed by specialists at mens clinics to counteract these symptoms.

Semantics is key here. Note he said abuse, not use. Abuse of steroids can certainly cause those issues. Abuse of anything can cause a lot of issues as you point out with Vitamin C.

Quote "Bodybuilders are probably the heaviest users" ... great use of factual statistics there. Actually bodybuilders are not these days - its the general admission guys doing it now > actual bodybuilders (stage dwellers) are so few in number.

I agree that based on pure numbers there's probably more gym rats than competitive bodybuilders using, but from the writer's perspective does he consider these gym rats bodybuilders? Do many of them consider themselves bodybuilders? Where do you draw the line, do you have to step on stage to be called or consider yourself a bodybuilder? We've had this discussion here many times, I'm just pointing out he may be using the term inclusively.

I'd agree with the general message of the article. A greater supply and availability of PEDs increasing the likelihood of athletes using them. PEDs, when abused can be detrimental for your health. Overall it's just another scare piece to try and mitigate the spread of PEDs, and when it comes to athletes competing in tested sports I support that message. Same as when it concerns young or uneducated people wanting to use drugs which change your bodies hormonal profile without any true respect or understanding of how serious that actually is. Like any 'medicine' when used poorly or in excess they can be dangerous, it's as simple as that. Same can be said for Vitamin C as you point out :nod:

[Pseudonym]

Well said, Phedder. I agree with everything you say, although I still object to the article - and most recent media coverage of this issue.

I object to emotive (and factually incorrect) terms being applied to steroids - terms like "illicit" and "illegal". Steroids are no more illicit or illegal than a birth control pill is. In fact in many cases, hormonally, they're very similar (one is estrogen, the other testosterone and its derivatives). Steroids are certainly not anywhere near the league of hard drugs that these emotive terms would suggest.

Drug Free Sport New Zealand chief executive Graeme Steel has sneeringly referred to the culture of "the body beautiful" in gyms that entices people to go out and use steroids. I object to the inference that getting fit and looking good is a bad thing. Surely we want to encourage people to take better care of themselves? And if the driving motivation behind that is vanity, so what? A big part of looking good is staying healthy. I'm damn sure the casual gym junkie who dabbles in steroids will cost the taxpayer a lot less than the fat couch potato who guzzles fast food and fizzy drink.

I also have an ethical problem with society saying to athletes "Thou shalt NOT use steroids. Ever." Don't get me wrong - using steroids when the rules say not to is cheating - no ifs, buts or maybes about that. My issue is with the bigger picture... the steroid prohibition rule itself.

First of all, as a society, we want to see improved performances. In fact, we demand it. And to that end, we're quite happy to see performance enhancing clothing (cycling and swimming costumes), performance enhancing supplements (everything from BCAAs, to tribulus, to caffeine)... even performance enhancing surgery is okay (Tiger Woods had laser eye surgery giving him better than 20/20 vision - purely to improve his game). But taking testosterone, a hormone our body produces naturally ourselves, is a big no-no. I don't follow the logic here.

Secondly, and more importantly, these performance enhancing drugs actually have health benefits for the athletes. I was listening to the radio the other day, and the host was listing all the reasons an athlete might be tempted by a PED. This one helped damaged muscle tissue repair faster, that one strengthened tendons, another one helped damaged nerves.

...And somehow this is a bad thing?!

These athletes are damaging their bodies for the sake of our entertainment. In my opinion, athletes should do whatever they can to aid their body's repair and recovery, and it is totally immoral for society to actively prevent this. Far from prohibiting athletes' use of steroids, we should be encouraging it.

Currently the system is flawed and unjust for all concerned. It's unfair for the athletes who follow the rules and don't use PEDs, when they compete against others who do. It's unfair for athletes who take PEDs to be persecuted for trying to improve their personal health. And it's unfair for fans to not know whether the competitions they are following are "enhanced" or not.

Until this situation is addressed, I can't see any progress being made by Drug Free Sport, no matter how zealous the testers are.

OK, that's all. I'll get off my soap-box now.

[Leeroid]

IMO, anabolic androgenic steroids and PEDs should remain as a prescription only medicine. Although they are not likely to be fatal, they certainly are powerful drugs and influence your endocrine system in a way that can be detrimental to your health.

As an aside, I was explaining to an older lady that steroids can be prescribed legally from a doctor to combat declining test levels of aging people. She was shocked, but then said "Well, it's different steroids from what those bodybuilders use, isn't it?". I replied that steroids used in sports and bodybuilding were the exact same ones that doctors prescribed to older men for TRT. She exclaimed "But isn't that unhealthy?". I proceeded to explain to her about the role of testosterone in a male's body. Awared.

[I Declare War]

IMO, anabolic androgenic steroids and PEDs should remain as a prescription only medicine. Although they are not likely to be fatal, they certainly are powerful drugs and influence your endocrine system in a way that can be detrimental to your health.

As an aside, I was explaining to an older lady that steroids can be prescribed legally from a doctor to combat declining test levels of aging people. She was shocked, but then said "Well, it's different steroids from what those bodybuilders use, isn't it?". I replied that steroids used in sports and bodybuilding were the exact same ones that doctors prescribed to older men for TRT. She exclaimed "But isn't that unhealthy?". I proceeded to explain to her about the role of testosterone in a male's body. Awared.

The steroid derivatives of Testosterone (which bodybuilders use), are not typically prescription medicines. I'm talking about popular bodybuilding steroids such as Winstrol, Tren, Boldenone, Dianabol & other orals - these steroids are unhealthy.

The human body is designed (has evolved) to handle a certain amount of testosterone, the other steroids mentioned above interfere with bodily functions and lead to problems down the line, such as heart disease.

Be careful what you tell the public Lee. People see through half-truths.

[Leeroid]

Indeed IDW. Although some derivatives are used to treat AIDS and burn patients

I was just referring to straight test, the main point I was trying to make is that there is a legitimate medical use for steroids, unlike rec drugs

[joey pineapples]

Does gamma-aminobutyric acid actually work well? What does it do?

[Android]

Does gamma-aminobutyric acid actually work well? What does it do?

puts little girls to sleep :pfft:

[Optimass]

Does gamma-aminobutyric acid actually work well? What does it do?

puts little girls to sleep :pfft:

Something quite disturbing about that response and your avatar .... :pfft:

[Monolith]

If you want to stop athletes using them in sports TEST EVERYONE.

I completely agree, but as you said it's a matter of funding. It's far too expensive to test everyone, great if you can afford to but that's just not the case for most. Are you saying if they can't afford to test everyone, it's better not to test at all?

Not exactly. Perhaps let the athletes decide by association. Tested and untested - it's worked in bodybuilding. How many "Natural Athletes" turn up to the Olympia each year? Aside from the fact they are unlikely to qualify, it's widely known and Cutler has even come out and said on film. They are used by all the pros. Perhaps that's the window. Keep them out of amateur sports but have an option to take things to a different level beyond that.

There is the Natural Olympia and the Olympia. Which one has the most recognition? But both are designated pro divisions.

It's like removing Godzilla from Bathurst and making it exclusive to Holden and Ford because they can't make the Aussie cars go as fast as a GTR. But if you were a GTR driver in order to race you would have to change format. But what if you didn't want to drive a Holden and Ford? Should be able to choose not to without being set upon in a negative way.

Freedom of choice without persecution - if its ok for the girls to use their hormones - the boys should be able to use theirs. :nod:

[nate225]

Are Drug Free Sport the people bringing Dave Palumbo to NZ? :pfft:

[musclenz]

Generally Mr Steel makes these broad brushed uninformed & unsubstantiated opinions. Unfortunately people listen to him because of his role in Sport. THere have been many instances of use of PEDS above that mitigate their use in properly controlled situations. We all know that many pharmacueticals are dangerous & a great number are sold OTC. I guess it will take education & continued exposure of this to bring the truth out into the open.

Meanwhile many of you will have heard of my demise as a consultant in the use of PEDs & pre contest training, nutrition & stacks. I am proud to have worked closely with many fine people in the sport. It's time to retire from the scene & take care of an ongoing health issue I have been fighting for the last few years. I wish everyone the very best in whatever they chose to do & be. It has been an amazing time & NZBB has been a great place to learn & discuss matters that are close to the very core of our being.

Kind regards,

mnz

[I Declare War]

Generally Mr Steel makes these broad brushed uninformed & unsubstantiated opinions. Unfortunately people listen to him because of his role in Sport. THere have been many instances of use of PEDS above that mitigate their use in properly controlled situations. We all know that many pharmacueticals are dangerous & a great number are sold OTC. I guess it will take education & continued exposure of this to bring the truth out into the open.

Meanwhile many of you will have heard of my demise as a consultant in the use of PEDs & pre contest training, nutrition & stacks. I am proud to have worked closely with many fine people in the sport. It's time to retire from the scene & take care of an ongoing health issue I have been fighting for the last few years. I wish everyone the very best in whatever they chose to do & be. It has been an amazing time & NZBB has been a great place to learn & discuss matters that are close to the very core of our being.

Kind regards,

mnz

Oh, laters MNZ! Sad to see you go.

[daywalker]

"Mr Steel said sportspeople were sharing gyms with steroid users such as body-builders, and could be drawn into substance abuse."

why do they always say "abuse". Only really abuse if you go overboard with the stuff and get a dependence (from what ive read its not physically possible only psychologically). Much like drinking alcohol. You get normal consumption and then abusers (binge drinkers and alcoholics). Dont know why but it bugs me when say "abuse" rather than 'use'.

[Huskeez]

Generally Mr Steel makes these broad brushed uninformed & unsubstantiated opinions. Unfortunately people listen to him because of his role in Sport. THere have been many instances of use of PEDS above that mitigate their use in properly controlled situations. We all know that many pharmacueticals are dangerous & a great number are sold OTC. I guess it will take education & continued exposure of this to bring the truth out into the open.

Meanwhile many of you will have heard of my demise as a consultant in the use of PEDs & pre contest training, nutrition & stacks. I am proud to have worked closely with many fine people in the sport. It's time to retire from the scene & take care of an ongoing health issue I have been fighting for the last few years. I wish everyone the very best in whatever they chose to do & be. It has been an amazing time & NZBB has been a great place to learn & discuss matters that are close to the very core of our being.

Kind regards,

mnz

Take it easy big man

[Leeroid]

"Mr Steel said sportspeople were sharing gyms with steroid users such as body-builders, and could be drawn into substance abuse."

why do they always say "abuse". Only really abuse if you go overboard with the stuff and get a dependence (from what ive read its not physically possible only psychologically). Much like drinking alcohol. You get normal consumption and then abusers (binge drinkers and alcoholics). Dont know why but it bugs me when say "abuse" rather than 'use'.

Well, you do get dependent on it physiologically. Prolonged use without proper PCT will diminish your ability to produce testosterone which means that you can't come off unless you're prepared to accept the fact that you're going to shrink down and feel like shit generally.

[livetolift]

lol