Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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595. To ask the Minister for Health if he will commit to a large public awareness campaign to highlight the dangers associated with illicit steroid usage, which has increased exponentially in recent times, particularly among young men; if he will further commit to providing specific training for front line health care workers to be able to properly address problem steroid taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26617/16]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) works in conjunction with Revenue’s Customs Service regarding importations to Ireland, and with An Garda Síochána regarding supplies within Ireland, in order to detect illicit supplies of anabolic steroid containing medicines for abuse purposes.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. They can be administered as a tablet, capsule or in liquid form. While a doctor may prescribe them to treat specific medical conditions, there is increasing evidence to demonstrate that the misuse of such drugs and their derivatives, for non-medical purposes is increasing and posing significant risk and evidenced harm to human health.

The HSE has advised that preliminary figures obtained from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry Scheme (HIPE) indicate that there has been an increase in steroid-related admissions to hospitals. However, the overall admission rate for steroid-related problems is still relatively low.

The issue of steroid use, and the use other image enhancing drugs, has also been highlighted by the needle exchange services as an emerging and growing issue. However, all staff involved with needle exchange can transfer their current skills set to these groups with respect to harm reduction advice, safe needle use and safe sharps disposal,

A key priority for me at present is the development of a new National Drugs Strategy to respond to the changing nature of the drug problem. The provision of resources to support the implementation of the new Strategy, including any initiatives proposed to address illicit steroid usage, will be determined in the context of the estimates process.