Steroids in the United Kingdom are classified as class C drugs therefore it is illegal to manufacture and distribute; however, steroids are not illegal to possess. The problem with this law is that it can become tricky buying steroids in the UK from a legitimate website that sells “real” steroids that are safe and manufactured in proper sterile labs. There are loopholes to this law though such as possessing counterfeit steroids is illegal. Steroids are generally imported from Russia, Mexico and Thailand, as these countries do not have any laws on steroids. However, these countries do sometimes produce counterfeit drugs and they are illegal to possess in the UK. 

 

Steroids laws do differ for other countries such as in the USA, Australia as well as Canada it is illegal to make, sell and possess steroids. 

 

History of Banning Steroids: The Ancient Greeks used performance-enhancing drugs in the Olympics and this was not considered cheating in the slightest in fact it was encouraged since any Olympic win would signify status and wealth. Though steroids did not exist in the form that they do today the Greek athletes would drink wine potions, hallucinogens and ate animal testicles/hearts in search of substance that would increase their strength. The search for a substance that could illicit strong effects on athletes continued throughout the world and Dr. Ziegler a physician for the USA Olympic team created Diananbol the first steroid that would be sold legally in the USA to athletes and bodybuilders. 

 

In 1966 UCI as well as FIFA are among the first professional sporting leagues that ban steroids. The IOC, NCAA and NFL follow shortly. In 1967 with the death of a third professional athlete due to performance enhancing drugs, Tommy Simpson the British cyclist who died during the Tour de France due to excessive levels of amphetamines and brandy. Tommy consumed so much that his body finally shut down. Simpson’s death was the final straw and this tragedy put pressure on sporting agencies to take action against doping. 

 

The IOC established the Medical Commission to fight doping in sports and this commission produced the very first list of prohibited substances and drug tests are introduced. In 1968 the IOC introduce an official and compulsory doping control at the Winter Olympic games in Grenoble as well as the Summer Olympics Games in Mexico City. WADA World-Anti-Doping Agency is another professional agency that is set up in 1999 to control the use of illegal steroids and banned substances. 

 

The laws on steroids differ country to country but in the UK one is allowed to possess them without it being illegal.