Boys as young as 12 are taking muscle-building anabolic steroids in an attempt to make themselves more attractive to girls, drugs advisers are warning.

 

But many teenagers who regularly abuse the drugs – traditionally associated with athletes, bodybuilders and security guards – have no idea that they can make their testicles wither, enlarge their breasts or cause acne and sterility, experts say.

 

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs wants the Government to target an awareness campaign about the health hazards of steroids at schoolchildren.

 

About 200,000 people say they have used steroids, with 42,000 taking them at least once a year and 20,000 taking them every month. Sports administrators fear there will be a boom in use in the run-up to the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

 

Lord Adebowale, a member of the advisory council, told a meeting yesterday: "I am concerned by the lack of information about the risks they face in using them. This stuff isn't being used just by people who want to be athletes, but by people who want to be in boy bands and get girls."

 

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, the council's chairman, said steroids could make the testicles wither and cause acne, sterility and a form of breast enlargement. He added: "Even more worryingly, there is emerging evidence that anabolic steroids cause aggression. I'm really very worried about that."

 

Sir Michael said he would alert the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, to the council's "very grave concerns" about the issue.

 

"This is a very serious potential problem way, way outside the elite athletes," he said. "It's our children we're talking about."

 

It is against the law to import or supply anabolic steroids, which can legally be obtained only on prescription. It is, however, lawful to possess them for personal use – an inconsistency which one member of the drugs panel described yesterday as illogical.

 

The advisory council, which was holding its first meeting in public since it was set up in 1971, is considering the legal status of a list of 26 steroids and other substances which are not banned in Britain.

 

 

Source: Independent on Sunday

....and what's wrong with a work out?

 

I've been weightlifting a while now and never contemplated using steriods

....and what's wrong with a work out?

 

I've been weightlifting a while now and never contemplated using steriods

 

tbh boi.... you did well. you could have been a slovenly slob with the posture of your dad.... fortunately for you in these modern times health issues are recognised and a little work out has been good for you.

 

as with most things moderation is needed.... but steroids to build up bulk for little boys who are still growing its just wrong. a gentle/moderate work out regularly will give them decent bods...

Thier lives at the end of the day, if they want to f*** their lives up up to them I guess

Thier lives at the end of the day, if they want to f*** their lives up up to them I guess

 

12 year olds?..... thats not a responsable attitude to take craig...they are kids and are not yet old enough to be allowed to 'fcuk up there lives'.

Thier lives at the end of the day, if they want to f*** their lives up up to them I guess

 

I agree. Kids my age know what they're doing.

 

12 year olds?..... thats not a responsable attitude to take craig...they are kids and are not yet old enough to be allowed to 'fcuk up there lives'.

 

But sometimes their parents couldn't care less on what they do. Often the parents are there to make descions for them. They let kids do whatever they like, and trust me, a lot of kids do whatever they like, because no-one else cares.

At the risk of constantly repeating myself ....... where are their parents??

 

My 14 year old son visits a gym - but at a special session for teens and they are very strict about the amount of weight bearing exercise they are allowed. He trains for his sport responsibly.

 

The gyms should not be allowing under 18s to train excessively as their bones / muscles are not yet finished growing.

 

 

 

 

 

At the risk of constantly repeating myself ....... where are their parents??

 

My 14 year old son visits a gym - but at a special session for teens and they are very strict about the amount of weight bearing exercise they are allowed. He trains for his sport responsibly.

 

The gyms should not be allowing under 18s to train excessively as their bones / muscles are not yet finished growing.

 

The parents arn't there. Even kids were I live go out at about 7 and don't come back untill after 10.. The parents don't care. You can just say that "I was at my mates" and that'll be the end of it.

 

The gyms (well, most of them) hardly care about how old kids are. It's all about the money.

The parents arn't there. Even kids were I live go out at about 7 and don't come back untill after 10.. The parents don't care. You can just say that "I was at my mates" and that'll be the end of it.

 

The gyms (well, most of them) hardly care about how old kids are. It's all about the money.

 

 

well there is the problem!!

 

parents SHOULD bloody care - instead of compaining when something goes wrong and expecting someone else to sort it out!!!

Edited December 3, 200717 yr by ICR

But sometimes their parents couldn't care less on what they do. Often the parents are there to make descions for them. They let kids do whatever they like, and trust me, a lot of kids do whatever they like, because no-one else cares.

 

but this is no excuse... parents SHOULD know where/what their kids are doing... theres too many ferral kids raking the streets doing wtf they want to do... its wrong...period.

but this is no excuse... parents SHOULD know where/what their kids are doing... theres too many ferral kids raking the streets doing wtf they want to do... its wrong...period.

 

I'm not saying it's an excuse. Of cause parents should know were their kids are / what they're doing, but tney simply don't care. The'd much rather go out drinking etc. and leave their kids roaming the streets at 3 o'clock in the morning.