Crimestoppers, the charitable organization that enables members of the community to anonymously provide information related to criminal activity, has decided to participate in the war on steroids.
Crimestoppers UK has joined forces with United Kingdom Anti-Doping to stop the use of anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in sports. They operate an anonymous and confidential snitch hotline on behalf of United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD).
Andy Parkinson, the chief executive officer of UKAD, hopes the establishment of the “Report Doping in Sport” line will help crack the “code of silence” that makes athletes reluctant to rat out fellow teammates, athletes and competitors.
Athletes can call 0800-032-2332 and report suspicions of steroid use by their competitors and Crimestoppers will forward the information to the UK Anti-Doping Intelligence Unit.
“[The code of silence] is still a real issue and we don’t know how to crack it,” said Parkinson. “We cannot fix it on our own.”
The hotline has already been successful in leading to the suspension of the first British athlete for trafficking anabolic steroids.
British shot-putter Carl Fletcher was banned for four years after he pleaded guilty to selling various performance-enhancing drugs including human growth hormone (hGH) and anabolic steroids (testosterone and trenbolone). The Liverpool Crown Court sentenced Fletcher to nine months imprisonment.
The Independent reported that an initial tip received via the Crimestoppers-operated ‘steroid stoppers’ hotline helped lead to Fletcher’s conviction.
Photo credit: crimestoppers-uk.org
Source:
Scott-Elliot, R. (December 16, 2011). London Eye: Athletes need to break their silence on curse of doping. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-eye-athletes-need-to-break-their-silence-on-curse-of-doping-6277628.html
