Performance-enhancing drugs are everywhere on social media, says Syarul
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah, a six-time World and Asian bodybuilding champion, is deeply concerned by how easy it is to buy banned performance-enhancing drugs in Malaysia today.
Syarul said sales of such drugs online, especially on social media, have become rampant and fears users could seriously harm themselves.
He urged the government to take stern action to prevent the issue from getting worse.
"There are so many performance enhancing drugs available on social media today, I have even had people offer such drugs to me," said Syarul when met today (May 26).
"Sometimes I check the people or accounts who are following me on social media.
"I get shocked at times when I check and see that they are actually selling all sorts of these performance-enhancing substances.
"Newcomers to the sport might see this as a shortcut and try to use these substances. It can affect their health very seriously and can even cause a heart attack.
"These are actually drugs which are meant to be used under strict doctor supervision in hospitals.
"In the past, you had to go to the gym and try and talk to people to get such substances but now, everything is done online.
"The government has to do something to stop this. I believe the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) can do something about it."
Syarul said growth hormones, peptides and anabolic steroids among the performance-enhancing substances commonly sold.
Syarul retired from competitive bodybuilding last year and currently coaches the national bodybuilding team.
He was speaking after attending the launch of the Drug Free Youth Campaign awareness video in Kuala Lumpur today (May 26) - officiated by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh - in cooperation with TGV Cinemas.
TGV Cinemas will from now be screening a short drug awareness video before movies are shown at their cinemas nationwide. This is to create greater awareness regarding the dangers of recreational drug use.
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