Steroid tests for Games

Press, 30 January 1981, Page 1

Steroid tests for Games

A Christchurch medical team will make the first tes.tr in New Zealand for the banned drug, anabolic steroids, at the Pan Pacific Games tomorrow and Sunday. Dr M. S. Scandrett, head of the steroids unit at Christchurch Hospital, and two technicians will measure the levels of steroids in urine from athletes competing in track and field events. Those persons tested will be selected at random. Samples in which the drug is detected will be partially processed in Christchurch and then sent to an accredited laboratory overseas for positive identification. Information thus obtained will then ultimately allow

the medical commission of the International Amateur Athletic Federation to take action against offending athletes. A member of the commission, Professor Arnold Beckett, of London, arrived in Christchurch vesterday to confer w-ith Dr .Scandrett on the testing procedures. Anabolic steroids are chemically manufactured hormones used by sportsmen and women to increase muscle bulk and strength. The excessive use of the steroids can result in permanent disability and premature death. . .i. , • Dr Scandrett that it was understandable that individual athletes were not willing to admit to using them.