Body-builder starts battle on steroids

From the archive, first published Tuesday 21st Feb 2006.

A champion body-builder is to work with a pioneering drugs project in a bid to curb the explosion in the abuse of steroids in the city.

Earlier this month, the Telegraph & Argus reported how the number of people using Bradford Needle Exchange after injecting muscle-building drugs had risen by a staggering 400 per cent in 12 months.

Project director John Bolloten described the trend as worrying and said users could face dire health consequences.

Now Jason Barnett, 33, a British Natural Body-building Federation UK champion, is to work with the scheme.

Mr Barnett contacted the needle exchange after the T&A highlighted the extent of steroid abuse in the district.

He said: "I knew there were steroids in Bradford but not that it was such a big problem.

"The Bradford Needle Exchange is there as a last resort if people take drugs.

"But people need to be told that you can build muscle without resorting to steroids.

"I feel there is definitely misinformation out there. Not enough people realise that you do not have to take drugs to be a success in the sport.

"If someone does not give the right information, someone else will give the wrong information."

Mr Barnett, a special needs assistant at Haycliffe School, plans to lead seminars telling of the dangers of using muscle-building drugs and advising on how to build muscle naturally.

"The whole intention of body-building is for it to be healthy and natural," he added.

"Body-building should be touted as a sport which can prolong your life.

"If one person stops using steroids as a result of the seminars, they will have been a success."

During the workshops, Jason plans to perform the routine which won him a silver medal at the Natural Body-Building Federation's World Championships in New York last year.

He will also tell some of the horror stories which surround the use of muscle-building steroids as well as show-off some of the trophies he has won during a 17-year drug-free career.

Mr Barnett hopes to hold the first seminar in the spring.

Bradford Needle Exchange co-ordinator John Bolloten welcomed the move.

He said: "We are going to set up a meeting and from that meeting we will make some plans. We are looking at setting-up some seminars which will involve face-to-face work with people who are using the needle exchange.

"Jason is very experienced and he knows what he is talking about and I am sure we can learn a lot from him.

"What we will be looking at doing is working with the people who come into the needle exchange and helping them to make better choices.

"In other parts of the country, Durham for example, they have already got a clinic for people injecting steroids.

"There are an awful lot of people out there who need help."

Steroids allow users to build muscle at a much faster rate than normal. But serious health implications can follow, including breast growth, high blood pressure and heart disease, renal damage, cancers and strokes.

l Mr Barnett is looking for sponsorship to roll the seminars out to schools and sports clubs throughout the district. For more information, contact him on 07967564792 or visit www.supernaturalfitness.co. uk.

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