Performance Enhancing Drugs

About the course: While drugs agencies are keen to develop an in-depth understanding of common drugs such as heroin and cocaine, there has been less willingness to understand and work with Performance Enhancing Drugs such as Anabolic Steroids. At best, most agencies have a lay understanding of the subjecy. At worst there are high levels of misunderstanding and mythology. This course aims to increase workers knowledge of this growing area of work.

Duration: two day course

Appropriate for: All drugs workers, especially those working in needle exchanges.

Objectives: By the end of the course, participants will:

• be familiar with common PEDS
• have gained insight in to cultural aspects of PED use
• understand products and how they work
• Understand injecting processes and risks
• Understand general risks, and risk reduction strategies
• Understand interventions required by PED users.

Course includes:

• Key PEDs, what they are and how they work
• Chemistry and physiology
• Cultural issues
• Understanding stacking
• Methods of use, IM injection
• Risks and health care
• Sources of information
• Role of drugs agencies

Format: Taught section, work in pairs and groups, whole group discussion

Handouts: Copies of OHPs and unique Steroid Pack

DANOS modules: AA1,AA3, AA4, AD1, AF2, AH3