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- 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 - 258-2146 x 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