Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drug seizures of steroids or other such illegal drugs used primarily for enhancing sporting performance in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35317/18]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that An Garda Síochána maintains close liaison with the Enforcement Section of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and Revenue's Customs Service to prevent the unauthorised flow of illegal medicinal products, including steroids with anabolic or other hormonal effects, used primarily for enhancing sporting performance.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the Competent Authority for the implementation of EU and national legislation relating to medicines in Ireland. The Authority's role includes monitoring and inspecting products on the market to ensure their safety, efficacy and legality. One of HPRA’s roles is to investigate potential breaches of legislation and where necessary to take corrective action including legal proceedings. The focus of the HPRA when investigating breaches of the legislation relating to medicines is on the supplier.
I am informed that prosecutions have been initiated by the HPRA in relation to the unauthorised supply of anabolic steroid containing medicines. These prosecutions have included the offences of manufacturing, advertising and supply without prescription to individuals and for wholesale supply. If any person is offering, facilitating the supply of, or supplying anabolic steroid containing medicines in breach of the legislation, they risk investigation by the HPRA and may face enforcement actions up to and including prosecution.
The national drug strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025" has committed to establishing a working group to examine the evidence in relation to current and emerging trends of drug use including the use of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPED). This will be pursued by the HSE in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders during the term of the action plan in the strategy.
This action arose from reports by service providers of an increase in people who use IPED such as steroids, accessing the needle exchange programmes. However, these harm reduction services are traditionally geared toward users of psychoactive substances not IPED. Therefore, expanding the range and nature of models of practice may serve to enhance accessibility, engagement and effectiveness for this at-risk group.
With regard to the details sought by the Deputy in relation to seizures, I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will further advise the Deputy in this regard when the report is to hand.
