Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 77 STEROIDS (continued) Doses taken by non-medical users can be up to 100 times more than the doses used for treating medical conditions. Health Effects Although steroids do not produce a medically intoxicating effect, the non-medical use of steroids by a growing teen can lead to serious consequences: Short-term effects • Effects vary by individual, but general shortterm negative effects for both sexes include hostility, aggression, and acne. • Steroids can have a magnified effect on teens since their bodies are still growing. Any unnatural substances, such as anabolic steroids, that are designed to physically alter a body before adulthood, can result in stunting height, and this can be permanent. • Males may experience shrunken testicles, difficulty or pain in urinating, become infertile or impotent, development of breasts, hair loss, and increased risk for prostate cancer. • Girls can experience an excessive growth of body and facial hair, male-pattern baldness, decreased body fat and breast size, changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle, and a deepened voice. Long-term effects The long-term effects for both males and females are similarly related to extreme stresses to the body. Long-term effects include: • High blood pressure • Increased risk of blood clotting • Increases in LDL (bad cholesterol) • Decreases in HDL (good cholesterol) • Jaundice (yellowish skin color, tissues, and body fluids) • Liver cysts and cancer • Kidney cancer • Fluid retention • Severe acne Mental effects While steroids are not taken as mood-altering drugs, they do have potentially negative psychological effects when used without medical supervision. Scientific research has shown that aggression and other psychiatric side effects may result from the abuse of anabolic steroids. Many users report feeling good about themselves while on anabolic steroids, but researchers report that extreme mood swings also can occur, including hyperactivity or agitation, and uncontrolled aggression (known as “roid rage”), which can lead to violence. What Is Steroid Withdrawal? Many steroid users feel strong and “happy” when they are using. When they stop, they can experience feelings of depression, which can result in dependence. Researchers also report that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility. BATH SALTS Bath Salts sold in small packets or jars with names like Blue Wave, Cloud Nine, and White Lady are one of the scariest of so called “designer drugs”. Bath Salts are a troubling addition to a growing list of items that young people can obtain to get high. The synthetic powder is sold legally online and in drug paraphernalia stores under a variety of names, such as Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Red Dove, Blue Silk, Zoom, Bloom, Cloud Nine, Ocean Snow, Lunar Wave, Vanilla Sky, White Lightning, Scarface and Hurricane Charlie. Because these products are relatively new to the drug abuse scene, our knowledge about their precise chemical composition and short- and longterm effects is limited, yet the information we do have is worrisome and warrants a proactive stance to understand and minimize any potential dangers to the health of the public. These products often contain various amphetamine-like chemicals, such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MPDV), mephedrone and pyrovalerone. These drugs are typically administered orally, by inhalation, or by continued
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