Steroids more popular than heroin, meth: Study
Steroids have become more popular than heroin and methamphetamine among young men who start injecting illicit drugs, new figures show.
According to a study by the Australian Needle Syringe Program, the number of young men wanting rapid muscle gain has tripled in the past decade.
The results show almost three quarters of people who started injecting drugs in New South Wales took performance and image enhancing drugs - mainly steroids.
That is a sharp increase on the 27 per cent in 2003.
President of the Australian Medical Association Steve Hambleton said steroid use was creeping into a younger demographic.
"It comes with this wish to win at all costs and to attain the perfect body immediately,” he told Fairfax.
“We worry about our girls with body image but it is just as much young men we need to worry about now."
The survey of 2400 injecting drug users also found a downturn in the new use other drugs, with only 11 per cent of new male users preferring methamphetamine.
Study co-ordinators believe the surge in new steroid users is linked to their increased availability and diversity.
Among the health risks of steroid-use is liver damage, heart issues, cancer and increased aggression.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Tony Abbott has questioned whether steroids are contributing to the violence.
Mr Abbott is calling for communities to band together to beat a culture of binge drinking and violent behaviour.
In an open letter, he says courts can only act after a crime, and the challenge is for police, pubs, clubs, and families to tackle the issue comprehensively.
Mr Abbott pointed to his time spent boxing in University, saying it taught him many things, including the power of one punch.
