Muscling up: are steroids an emerging criminal threat?

High-profile claims of links between elite sports and organised crime in Australia – such as those outlined in last year’s Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report – have put performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) squarely in the consciousness of mainstream society. But what are they, and how widespread is their use?

PIEDs is a term used to describe a range of substances that include steroids, hormones, insulin and peptides. There are several categories: anabolic and androgenic steroids (AAS) as well as ergogenic. They refer to any substances that will physically enhance the capacity for mental and or physical activity.

The (ongoing) saga of both the Essendon and Cronulla football clubs regarding allegedly illegal supplement programs continue to dog the headlines. But there are broader, more concerning trends regarding the use of PIEDs than merely at the elite level. Recent statistics have shown that the community hunger for PIEDs is increasing rapidly.

It seems many of us want to build the body beautiful and we want to do it in a hurry.