PLAN TO PUT STEROIDS ON PAR WITH HEROIN

The penalties for using and dealing in steroids for sport would be
increased to match those for heroin under radical law changes proposed
yesterday by the Australian Olympic Committee.

The president of the AOC, Mr John Coates, said the non-medical use of
steroids was now greater than heroin and cocaine and involved an estimated
2 per cent of the population and about 4 per cent of NSW schoolchildren
aged 11-17.

Mr Coates lamented that the AOC and sport organisations could only catch
some users. The size of the problem was so large government intervention
was needed immediately.

Mr Coates has written to the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, and the premiers
urging them to elevate drugs banned in sport to the same level as narcotics.

The assistance of the president of the International Olympic Committee, Mr
Juan Antonio Samaranch, has also been sought and the AOC drug initiative
will be put to the IOC world conference on drugs next February.

Under new laws, the Chinese swimmer and coach caught importing human growth
hormone last January would have faced Australian courts and the same
penalties as heroin importers.

In another case in May, a Melbourne magistrate expressed frustration that
the maximum fine for two men convicted of having $900,000 of anabolic
steroids destined for New Zealand was $5,000.

"It is essential that those responsible for dealing in appalling and
dangerous drugs be identified and prosecuted and penalities be raised to
reflect the serious and damaging nature of these drugs," Mr Coates said.

Under AOC team agreements, Australian athletes who return a positive drug
test to a banned hard drug at the 2000 Games would have to pay back all
funding, which in some cases might amount to more than $100,000.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan