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May 11, 2008
Psst...want steroids to pump up your body?
Performance-enhancing drugs are available at gyms for those whose desire for fitness-magazine physiques often override safety rules
By Leonard Lim and Lin Xinyi
Buying steroids is almost as easy as walking into a neighbourhood store to buy candy.

But you must know the right people.

That is what some fitness industry insiders tell The Sunday Times.

'It's an open secret that these drugs are commonly available and taken by athletes,' said a doctor who used to work out regularly in a gym. He declined to be named.

'I used to go to a gym three times a week, but could never get the type of bodies shown in fitness magazines.

'If anyone wants a quick way to a well-cut body, steroids are the surest way to go.'

The topic of performance-enhancing drugs has been in the news following the biggest dope scandal to hit Singapore sport.

Four bodybuilders who competed at last month's National Championships tested positive for illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Two others flouted rules by skipping their urine tests.

These athletes spend countless hours training at fitness centres, where drugs are said to be available.

A former sales executive at a popular gym chain said he knows of many cases where new members, especially teenagers, are approached by older ones and offered steroids.

He said: 'Their line is always the same: you will never get a good body, even if you work out for many months, if you don't take drugs.

'Then, they proceed to show you the pills and offer them for a price.'

Insiders say the drugs are usually from countries like Thailand, China and the United States, where they are available off the shelf.

In Thailand, these drugs can be repackaged and resealed in vitamin containers to avoid any suspicion when passing through borders manned by fussy customs officers.

The pills, which can cost as little as 10 cents overseas, are sold for about $1 each here.

Said Dr Teh Kong Chuan, senior consultant (Sports Medicine) at the Singapore Sports Council: 'If you know where to go and who to go to, you will be able to get hold of the drugs.

'You can also buy them from the Internet.'

Steroids are consumed either orally or via injections.

They aid in the growth of muscles. Most of them are derivatives of the male hormone, testosterone.

The more common anabolic steroids available here are nandrolone and stanozolol.

Stanozolol tripped Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson at the 1988 Olympics and nandrolone caused the downfall of disgraced British sprinter Linford Christie at an indoor meeting in Dortmund, Germany, in 1999.

Dr Teh added: 'It is an offence to traffic or sell such drugs, as anabolic steroids are actually controlled drugs.

'Athletes are not allowed to take them, but it is okay for non-athletes to consume them if they have a prescription.'

For instance, nandrolone and stanozolol may be prescribed when someone suddenly loses a lot of weight and feels weak.

No figures are available on the extent of steroid use here. But, from anecdotal evidence, its use is more common among men, especially those between the ages of 19 and 35.

A doctor at a government hospital said he recently treated an 18-year-old who developed an abscess on his buttocks as the needle he used to inject steroids was not disinfected properly.

Dr Benedict Tan, senior consultant sports physician at Changi Sports Medicine Centre, admitted that drug abuse is a problem in local sport.

The former national sailor said: 'The problem is that people into doping are using drugs with medical uses to enhance their performance.

'For example, they take medication for asthma (which contains the performance-enhancing substance beta-2 agonists) even though they don't have that condition.'

While steroids offer a quick fix to a perfect body, doctors warn that they can have side effects, some fatal.

Acne, nausea, liver problems, hormonal imbalance and heart attacks are just some of the health problems drug cheats face.

Women risk developing more masculine physical characteristics, such as a deepening of the voice and the growth of more body hair.

And, yes, men may develop breasts.

Despite the risks, many social gym-goers persist in taking steroids because they love their reflection in the mirror.

'I can't deny there's an element of vanity involved,' said a regular gym-

hitter in his 30s who takes the performance-enhancers.

'When you're passionate about bodybuilding, you want to get the best out of it and see how perfect a body you can get.'

limze@sph.com.sg

linxinyi@sph.com.sg

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