Ceist:
38 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has examined the legislative and other options available to him to ban the use of creatine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25673/98]
Priority Questions. - Ban on Creatine.
Creatine is an amino acid found in meat and fish and helps to boost energy levels in the body. The product is regarded as a food supplement and is available over the counter in many chemists shops. Recent reports on the use of creatine and possible side effects have been varied. As I said on a previous occasion, I would be wary of the use of creatine and would strongly advise against taking it as a performance enhancing substance.
Despite concerns over its use, creatine is not, as far as I am aware, included in the list of banned substances of any international sports federation or the International Olympic Committee. The IOC is, I understand, currently investigating the product. As lists of banned substances may vary from sport to sport, the decision to ban creatine as a performance enhancing substance is a matter, in the first instance, for each national and international governing body of sport in the context of the operation of their doping control programmes.
I am also informed by the Department of Health and Children that as creatine is not considered a drug, there is no legal basis for having it listed as a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. However, I am further advised that in the light of reports of the abuse potential of creatine, particularly with regard to high performance sport, the Department of Health and Children, in consultation with the Irish Medicines Board, will examine information on this substance to see whether products containing it should be classed as medicines and subject to prescription controls.
Sporting performance, ideally, should be based on natural ability, sound training techniques and application. I have consistently expressed my deep concern with regard to the use of all performance enhancing drugs within sport. As a doctor, I would also be concerned about the possible misuse of food supplements and other health products in that such misuse may have adverse health effects.
I am committed to the introduction of the National Sports Anti-Doping Programme. The programme will be operated under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council when the council is set up on statutory basis and, as Deputies will be aware, the Sports Council Bill is going through Second Stage in the Dáil at present. All recognised national governing bodies of sport have been circularised with the programme details and will be involved in consultation with the Irish Sports Council on the operational aspects of the programme. Its provisions go beyond testing, to incorporate assisting in the education of our young athletes on the dangers inherent in drug taking. While the programme will be voluntary in nature, public funding will be withheld from any national governing body of sport or individual athlete who opts out of participation in the programme or, if participating, breach any element of the rules governing its operation.
Dr. Upton
I agree with the Minister on the misuse of food supplements. Has he communicated his concern and that expressed by Members about creatine to the International Olympics Committee? Has he actively sought to have it added to the list of banned substances? Has he, in accordance with the commitment he gave on 21 October at Question Time, communicated with the Minister for Education and Science on the dangers attached to this substance? Has he asked the Minister for Education and Science to contact all schools to acquaint them with the undesirability of the use of this substance?
Further to a previous report in this House with which all Deputies agreed on these substances, a loud and clear message went out that there was a problem with this substance and other supplements in the health area, such as vitamins and other substances. It is a matter which has been communicated through the Dáil but it has not been communicated specifically to the Minister for Education and Science as regards schools. The dangers of this drug have been widely profiled.
We are trying to see if creatine can be added to the list and if it is possible to get information on it. We have been in contact with the Department of Health and Children to see if we can get more information on the adverse effect of this drug and if it may be added to the list of banned substances. That will be a matter for the Department of Health and Children. I also point out to the Deputy that it is up to national and international federations to put substances on their banned lists and more and more are being added to those lists. Unfortunately, this substance has not been added as yet.
Dr. Upton
Last week was European Drug Awareness Week. Does the Minister agree it would be of benefit, as part of that anti-drugs programme and awareness raising exercise, to include the misuse or the abuse of drugs in sport? Does he agree that perhaps an opportunity was lost last week when greater emphasis was not placed on the dangers attached and the gross undesirability of the use of drugs in sport?
I disagree with the Deputy in that this matter has been discussed and the area of drugs in sport has a profile which it never had before thanks to Deputies such as Deputy Upton raising the issue and to it being raised at different conferences. We had a conference in Dublin Castle last Saturday attended by the health boards, the Garda and all the national governing bodies of sport at which the matter was raised. I agree it must be continuously raised, particularly in schools. Creatine, a powder, was being liberally taken in schools for a variety of purposes. I point out that there is a medical condition called hypervitaminosis caused by somebody taking too many vitamins. There should be more education regarding the use of such substances because simple substances may cause harm.