LIFE IN JAIL PROPOSED FOR STEROID TRAFFICKERS

People who traffic in anabolic steroids should be dealt with on the
same basis as heroin dealers - and face a life jail term - a new
Federal Government report urges.

The report, designed to set out uniform sentencing for all States for
drug crimes, said that people selling drugs for enhancing sporting
abilities posed a serious threat to society and should face the same
penalties as heroin and cocaine dealers.

The report, released by the Minister for Justice, Senator Vanstone,
said there had been considerable concern expressed about the problem
of drugs in sport, and there was not only a demand for such drugs by
elite athletes but also in schools and gyms.

The report recommended that an expert committee be formed under the
auspices of the Government's Ministerial Council on Drugs to
standardise the list of prohibited sports drugs and other drugs and
the quantities which define a person as a trafficker.

It noted there were wide variations in penalties between
States.

Those convicted of dealing in large quantities of drugs such as heroin
face life terms under Commonwealth law and in the jurisdictions of
NSW, South Australia and the ACT. NSW, South Australia and the
Commonwealth also give life sentences to cocaine traffickers.

The report also proposed life sentences for anyone who used children
to aid the traffic of both large and small quantities drugs.

Senator Vanstone said anabolic steroids were particularly dangerous
for young people, with a recent report finding that steroid use by
teenage boys in Victoria was as high as ecstasy use.

"This report proposes that anyone who traffics in significant
quantities of anabolic steroids should face the same penalties as
other drug traffickers," Senator Vanstone said.

The report by the government-appointed Model Criminal Code Officers'
Committee called for greater national consistency and improvements to
all laws covering drug offences.

It said police intelligence had found the illicit trade in steroids
was increasing steadily. But it was not treated as a criminal offence
in most States despite risks to the mental and physical health of users.

"Steroids are not included in the international conventions and there
is no obligation on Australia to make criminal offences in relation to
their trade," the report said.

The report highlighted a flourishing illicit trade in veterinary
steroid drugs repackaged and sold for human consumption.

"These substances have the same potential for criminal profit and the
development of blackmarket structures as any other drug for which
demand is high and supplies limited," it said.

The report's recommendations were welcomed by the Australian Sports
Drug Agency, which monitors the use of drugs.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry