NURSE TALKS STEROIDS

Along with the usual array of drugs being trafficked in Williams Lake, some
may be surprised to learn that anabolic steroids are also being sold. And,
it appears the drugs are being sold at, or near, local high schools. So
what are anabolic steroids?

Anabolic steroids are a group of synthetic hormones similar to the male
hormone testosterone. They are commonly used for bulking up and building
body mass when they are not used for their correct medicinal purposes.

"Anabolic steroids are the ones most commonly abused," says street nurse
Bruce Self. "They are usually administered by injection. They can enhance
performance because they mask inflammation.

"The downside to that is inflammation is nature's way of saying 'take it
easy,'" says Self. "People (on steroids) will continue to exercise until
they rip things in two."

According to literature from the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
there are serious short-term and long-term effects from misusing steroids.
Muscle bulk and strength occurs with short term use, however so does
masculinization in both sexes including difficulty with acne, changes in
sexual drive and function, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.

Women taking steroids will experience a deep voice, increased facial and
body hair, enlargement of the clitoris, and menstrual irregularity. Some
changes are irreversible like changes in the voice.

Men will experience testicular shrinkage, painful breast development, and
decreased sperm count. Difficulty getting an erection and increased
aggressiveness and irritability also known as 'roid rage' is common. With
high doses, euphoria, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, depression, mania,
paranoia and delirium are all side affects of the drug.

Young people using anabolic steroids may also have their growth prematurely
and permanently stunted.

Although some of the short-term effects are not permanent, changes in the
blood pressure and cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease, blood
clots, and heart attacks. Various types of cancer may also occur in
long-term users.

Aside from all these side effects, Self says syringes used for injecting
steroids are a little different than others and aren't as easy to get.

"What do you do when you can't get a needle - reuse the one you have," says
Self. "After a needle is used once, it's not sterile. Once it's used six or
seven times it's got all kinds of creepy diseases."

Anyone who shares needles or vials are at risk of contracting diseases like
hepatitis B and C and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"If you don't have legitimate access, you'll reuse, buy some from a dealer
which is a questionable source or the worst case scenario - share with your
buddies."

Self says most steroid users are mainstream people who work, go to school,
and have jobs. He describes the users as "cryptic."

"Other types of (drug) users are more obvious and don't mind coming to me
for clean needles or whatever. I'm discreet," says Self. "In some sense,
steroid users are higher risk because it's harder for them to get needles.
They could come to me, I'd happily give to them a clean needle. I would
rather see someone shoot with a clean needle than a dirty one."

When going off steroids, users will experience both physical and
psychological withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headache, sweating,
dizziness, irritability, and depression. Also, says Self, what used to be
muscle will turn to fat.

Self adds: "The mass is there, the muscle isn't."