Anabolic Steroids in Italy: the situation 

If you’re on this site, it means you’re interested in some way—directly or indirectly—in the world of anabolic steroids, and if you understand this language, there’s a good chance you live in Italy and speak Italian 🙂 

In this article, we’ll discuss the situation in Italy regarding anabolic steroids, both legally and in sports.

In fact, there are two different perspectives: one regarding sports justice and the other regarding ordinary criminal justice.

From now on, let’s consider all anabolic steroids equally, grouping them under a single category: performance-enhancing drugs. In reality, not all steroids are considered the same, but to make this article easier to understand, let’s simply treat them all as equivalent.

Possession of doping substances is not, in theory, punishable by law. Many substances, such as TESTOSTERONE ENANTHATE or DECA DURABOLIN, are medicines that can be prescribed by endocrinologists and are therefore perfectly legal with a doctor's prescription. The law therefore does not punish the possession of such substances, but only up to a certain point, up to a certain quantity. Above a certain quantity, it is considered a quantity for sale, and at this point, the classic legal procedures take over. 

But what is this level? 

In fact, it is not specified and is left to the discretion of the authorities or the judge.

If I, as an individual, take these substances (which I have in my possession), it is not legally prohibited (as already mentioned, they may also be prescription drugs or active ingredients found in other types of medications not necessarily intended to enhance physical performance); the problem arises in the context of sports justice, which obviously prohibits the use of doping substances or the distribution of unauthorized medications for the purpose of enhancing athletic performance. 

At this point, a crossover between Italian law and sports regulations must be found in order to assess, and possibly punish, the inappropriate use of doping substances, their intake in competitive sports, and their sale.

The meeting point can be found in Anti-Doping Law 376/2000 entitled "Regulation of health protection in sports activities in the fight against doping."

This law emphasizes that anabolic steroids( ONLINEand NON-ONLINE STEROIDS) fall fully within the category of doping substances.

This law imposes penalties of 3 months to 3 years in prison and fines ranging from 2,500 to 50,000 euros on those who procure, administer, or use performance-enhancing drugs.

To recap: Possession of steroids (up to a certain amount) is not illegal; possession of more than a certain amount is considered possession with intent to distribute and is therefore subject to legal action. In competitive sports, the use, administration, and illicit sale of steroids are prohibited, with penalties that extend to criminal law, not just those related to sports.