Insight: June 12

Tonight on Insight explores the risks and asks how the legal and medical system should treat steroid usage.

Jenny Brockie speaks to doctors and lawyers about laws in NSW and Queensland which classify steroids the same as heroin and amphetamines, and asks whether this approach works.

Twenty-nine year old year old Casey started using steroids a couple of years ago when he found out he had low testosterone. He now competes in untested bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions where he says everyone takes anabolic steroids. Casey says he’s had no side effects because he takes low doses.

Anthony started using anabolic steroids when he was 16. He says the results he was getting naturally weren’t enough. Anthony says he did have some side effects including acne, depression and night sweats. Despite this, he says he would look forward to injecting steroids because he knew each time he used, it would mean a better work out and bigger body.

‘Brian’ spent two years researching anabolic steroids before he started taking them. He got information from online forums where he says medically minded users discuss dosages and substances. He says his side effects have included testicle shrinkage and issues with sex. ‘Brian’ says he ‘doctor shopped’ before finding one who monitors his bloods.

‘Stan’ has seven convictions for importing, manufacturing and using steroids. At one point he was making anabolic steroids which he says are very easy to manufacture. He would make up to $4000 profit a week. He was also diagnosed with muscle dysmorphia when he was 18 and used it as a defence in court.

8.30pm tonight on SBS.