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ANABOLIC STEROIDS AND THE LAW |
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In the United Kingdom, anabolic steroids are Prescription Only drugs under the Medicines Act (1968). They can only be sold by a pharmacist on the presentation of a Doctor's prescription. Anabolic steroids are also Controlled Drugs, Class C (Schedule 4ii), under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971). The Class determines how dangerous a drug is perceived to be, and penalties relating to the drug. The Schedule defines who may be in possession of or supply each drug. POSSESSION It is not an offence at this time to possess anabolic steroids for personal use*, unless they are counterfeit. Therefore police tend to arrest for steroid possession only if they can prove the drugs are counterfeit (and therefore not prescribed by a doctor). A small number of arrests and convictions are made on this basis each year. *Note: The law does not specify a figure or quantity for personal use and so the practical consequences of this legislation have yet to be seen. SUPPLY It is however an offence to supply anabolic steroids. The penalty for unlawful supply of class C drugs is a maximum of 14 years in prison and unlimited fine. IMPORTING If a person obtains a drug from abroad then it falls under the importing regulations. The Medicines Control Agency has stated that up to 3 months supply* can be brought into the country as long as it is for individual use. *Note: The law does not stipulate what amount of anabolic steroids constitutes "3 months supply" and thus this is open to interpretation by the authorities. For medicines obtained abroad, the key issue is the legal status of the medicine in the country of purchase. If it is available OTC (Over The Counter) in that country then up to 3 months supply could be brought into the UK (as long as it is not also classified as a Controlled Drug within the UK) and the person could be in possession of, and use the product without breaking any regulations. However although possession and use of a POM (Prescription Only Medication) for personal use does not constitute a criminal offence, supply of such products is an offence and could be easily done for. For example, somebody purchasing a medicine abroad (UK classified POM) and bringing it into the country for someone else would also be committing an offence. These are the laws as understood at present but really have not been tested in court to see how they are implemented. Sentencing is highly variable and depends on a number of factors including quantities of drug involved, pleading guilty, previous offending history, and cooperation with the police. CASE HISTORY Information from HM Customs and Excise. 11 June 2002 Twelve months imprisonment for steroid smuggler Mr Wardropper was today sentenced to twelve months imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court having pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle a substantial quantity of anabolic steroids through Leeds / Bradford Airport. Wardropper was intercepted by Customs officers at the airport on 29 August last year as he returned from a trip to Karachi. His luggage was found to contain 9000 ampoules of androgenic anabolic steroids. Rob Hastings-Trew, Customs spokesman for Northern England, said “Seizures of this kind are extremely unusual. These drugs are used by a specific group of people – bodybuilders and athletes – and have an estimated street value of over £48,000.” Notes for editors 1. Wardropper was charged under Section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. 2. The specific quantities were 4998 ampoules of Sustanon 250 and 3999 ampoules of Testosterone Enanthate 250, both brands of androgenic anabolic steroids. Issued by HM Customs and Excise Communications Division, North East For further information, please contact: Office e-mail: Press.office@hmce.gsi.gov.uk
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