Easy to get hold of

Young people go for dangerous “stuff”

The illegal substances are usually produced abroad and sold to young people in Austria via middlemen.(Bild: APA/dpa/Roland Weihrauch)

Anabolic steroids and steroids are not only popular in the bodybuilding scene, they are now also conquering gyms. The illegal substances are particularly popular with young people. However, the health risks are often underestimated.

A steely body is the declared goal for many young people. And the membership figures in fitness studios confirm this trend. However, if a six-pack is not yet visible despite long and hard training, many young people turn to banned substances that transform young men into mountains of muscle without much effort. One substance in particular, which is being hyped as a "miracle weapon", is currently causing concern.