In early 2012, the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), with the assistance of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), began a project to consider the extent of use of performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) by professional athletes, the size of this market and the extent of organised criminal involvement. The project focused particularly on a new form of PIEDs, known collectively as peptides and hormones. These substances may provide effects similar to anabolic steroids and are considered by users to be ‘next generation PIEDs’. Some of these substances are perceived by athletes to be undetectable, making them attractive to those seeking to gain an unfair advantage.

The Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport report provides a summary of findings from this project. In particular, the ACC has now identified use of these substances, which are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), by professional athletes in a number of sports in Australia. Widespread use has been identified or is suspected in a number of professional sporting codes.