Illicit Anabolic Steroid Use in Western Australia (1996-2000)
Project Investigator
- Dr Bruce Maycock
Outline and Rationale
The Illicit Anabolic Steroid project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, the West Australian Drug abuse Strategy Office and the NSW Attorney Generals Department. The study identified the processes men went through as they initiated, maintained and ceased illegal anabolic steroid use. No previous studies had identified the factors influencing the anabolic steroid use cycle. The study involved participant observation of illegal anabolic steroid using subgroups. A total of 434 hours were spent in the field and 147 anabolic steroid users were observed. Using theoretical and chain referral sampling 41 subjects were selected from these subgroups and interviewed. Ninety-eight interviews were conducted, ten of the interviewed subjects were tracked over three years and interviewed on a regular basis. Nine dealers and 13 distributors were interviewed. Additional interviews were conducted with general practitioners, veterinarians, and representatives of the UK, National Criminal Intelligence Service, West Australian Police Service, managers of security companies and health workers.
Key Outcomes
- All men initiated anabolic steroid use to compensate for some perceived inadequacy and as a way of transforming some aspect of their ‘self’.
- Anabolic steroids were initially seen as transformational tools used to assist with the development of a product however, over time a number of men developed a drug use-training link and the drugs assumed a greater meaning.
- For many of the men the fear of being potentially labeled as deviant was less than the embarrassment and stigma associated with their previous body image.
- Anabolic steroid dealers and distributors were the primary agents in the socialization of new users.
- Cessation followed the four pathways of goal attainment, slow reduction, critical incidents and temporary cessation.
Benefits of Project
The research study highlighted the changes in meaning associated with anabolic steroids, and the range of factors that influence the decision of men to initiate use. These finding have already informed national and state policy and the development of educational interventions.
Funding
- Commonwealth Department of Health
- West Australian Drug abuse Strategy Office
- NSW Attorney Generals Department
Publications and Presentations
Maycock, B., Beel, A. 1997. A review of anabolic androgenic steroid abuse and aggressive behaviour. Crime and Justice Bulletin. NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 35 :1-8.
Maycock, B., Beel, A. 1997. Anabolic steroid abuse and violence. Australian Sports Trainer, 14 (3) : 4-5.
Maycock, B. 2000. Criminal involvement in the distribution of performance enhancing drugs, Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence.
Maycock,B.2000. Performance and image enhancing drugs, submission to National Expert Advisory Committee on Illicit Drugs, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.
Maycock, B. Hansen, D. 1998. Final Report of the Illicit Steroid Strategy Project. Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, Curtin University of Technology, West Australian Drug Abuse Strategy Office.
Maycock, B. 1997. Anabolic steroid user and users in Western Australia, Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, Curtin University of Western Australia.
Maycock B., Howat P. 1999. The manifestation of social capital in the illegal anabolic steroid distribution network. Proceedings of the 11th National Health Promotion Conference: Building Social Capital in the 21st Century. Perth, Western Australia 21-26 May.
Maycock B. 1999. The changing role of anabolic steroid dealers in the initiation and socialization of new users, Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm, Geneva 21-25 March.
Maycock, B. 1998. Anabolic steroids use and violent behaviour. In, From Community Health to Elite Sport, Proceedings of the Third Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science. 15-18 July 1998, Manchester, U K (Invited speaker).
Maycock B. 1998. The need for performance enhanced anabolic steroid policies in Western Australia. In, From Community Health to Elite Sport, Proceedings of the Third Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science. 15-18 July 1998, Manchester, U K (Invited speaker).
Maycock, B. 1997. The creation of deviants and criminals through public health policy. Asia-Pacific Consortium for Public Health.