§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to bring anabolic steroids within the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
§ Mr. Michael Howard[holding answer 26 October 1994]: The misuse of anabolic steroids is a matter for concern and in view of the harmful effects surrounding their misuse, including a number of serious health problems, the Government have decided to impose further controls on them, in line with a recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
We propose to change the law to make it an offence, without authority, to produce, supply, or possess or import or export with intent to supply, anabolic steroids and other similar drugs. In accordance with the recommendation of ACMD it would not, however, be an offence simply to possess these drugs in the United Kingdom. The necessary draft order under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and amending regulations to effect these changes will be brought before Parliament in due course.
The proposals deliberately target illicit suppliers and traffickers. The maximum penalties will be three months imprisonment and a £2,500 fine, or both, on summary conviction and five years or an unlimited fine, or both, on indictment.
We intend to keep under review the effectiveness of the new controls in tackling the supply and trafficking of anabolic steroids and, if it proves necessary, we shall consider even tougher measures.