Juice, and we’re not talking oranges

 Do you know how to protect yourself?

Do you know about steroid free options?

  KEY STEROID FACTS

• Anabolic-androgenic steroids are man-made drugs.
• Steroids are taken by pill or injection.
• Major side effects include liver tumours, liver cancer, jaundice, fluid retention, and high blood pressure.
• Men using steroids can experience shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, male-pattern baldness, development of breasts, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
• Women using steroids can experience changes in their reproductive organs and a deepening of the voice.

AVAILABILITY OF STEROIDS

• Doctors prescribe steroids to patients with medical conditions, such as AIDS and other diseases that result in muscle wasting.
• Black-market steroids from the internet.
• Black-market steroids bought from contacts at fitness facilities or health clubs.
• Black-market steroids on campus.

 RCMP warning:

“There are no rigid purity and quality checks on most steroid products available on the black market.”

 U.S. Department of Health warning:

“Black market steroids are manufactured without controls and may be impure, mislabeled, or simply bogus.”

 DANGERS OF INJECTING

• Steroids can be addictive
• In Canada, injection drug use and sharing needles accounts for approximately 70% of all new Hepatitis C infections.
• Sharing needles to inject steroids puts you at risk for HIV, Hepatitis, serious infections at the injection site, and infection of the heart muscle.

New needles are available at the:

 Needle Exchange Program at the:
AIDS Committee of Windsor,
1168 Drouillard Road, Suite B,
Windsor, ON 

Anyone can visit the needle exchange program; bring in a used needle and exchange it for a new one. 

GET MORE INFORMATION

 Canadian Health Network- http://www.canadian-health-network.ca
Toronto Public Health- http://www.toronto.ca/health/steroids.htm
Intl. Natural Bodybuilding Assoc. of Canada- http://www.naturalbodybuildingcanada.com
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health- http://www.camh.net
Peak Performance- http://www.peakperformance.on.ca

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Needle Exchange Program- 519-973-0222

• A physician that understands steroid issues.
• An addiction counselor.
• Campus Health Clinic, school nurse or guidance counselor.
• Workplace health clinic.
• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit - 519-258-2146 ext. 1200

Contact information for AIDS Committee of Windsor

1168 Drouillard Road, Suite B
Windsor, ON N8Y 2R1
Tel: 519-973-0222
Toll Free: 1-800-265-4858
Fax: 519-973-7389

www.aidswindsor.org

To request a copy of the wallet size card, e-mail or call J Palesh, Public Health Nurse