Steroid Drugs: Misuse

(asked on 17th January 2023) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on tackling the (a) marketing and (b) sale of illegal steroids in the UK.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 25th January 2023

Drugs ruin lives and devastate communities, which is why the Government is committed to tackling both the supply and demand for drugs, including illicit anabolic steroids. Our ten-year Drug Strategy, From Harm to Hope, sets out a whole system approach to combat illicit drugs, through its three priorities: breaking drug supply chains; delivering a world-class treatment and recovery system; and achieving a significant reduction in demand for illicit drugs.

Anabolic steroids are controlled as Class C substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 because of the physical and psychological harms they cause. It is an offence to produce or supply steroids without a licence, unless a lawful exemption applies. It is also an offence to possess, import or export steroids with the intent to supply them, unless a licence or an exemption (for example, in healthcare) applies.

Law enforcement agencies continue to work with internet service providers to shut down UK-based websites found to be committing offences such as selling or marketing drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. And further measures to tackle the sale of controlled drugs – including the unlawful supply of anabolic steroids - are included in the Online Safety Bill, with companies required to take action to prevent criminal activity. If they fail to comply, they risk stiff financial penalties or in the most serious cases, having their sites blocked by the independent regulator, Ofcom.

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