HL Deb 23 March 2004 vol 659 cc87-8WA
Lord Moynihan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of the number of people in the United Kingdom who are abusing anabolic steroids; and [HL1946]

What steps they are taking to reduce the abuse of anabolic steroids. [HL1949]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The British Crime Survey figures for 2002–03 show that the prevalence of drug misuse from anabolic steroids was 0.1 per cent of the United Kingdom population aged 16 to 59.

The Government are concerned about the misuse of anabolic steroids although the degree of prevalence in the UK is still very low. They are controlled as class C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. In 2003, Customs and Excise seized just over 300,000 steroid tablets. The Talk to Frank website highlights the risks of using steroids. The use and misuse of all drugs, including steroids, is covered under substance misuse programmes in schools.