May 30, 2008
Former professional bodybuilder Craig Titus has pleaded guilty to second degree murder, first degree kidnapping and first degree arson. Fitness pro Kelly Ryan, the wife of Craig Titus, also pleaded guilty days before their trial was scheduled to start. The plea agreement spares the sport of bodybuilding from a sensationalistic trial where anabolic steroids are likely to be demonized; we anticipated a “dumbbell defense” with the requested appointment of clinical psychologist David Schmidt of UNLV.
Local news stations have breaking news about the case and sentencing.
Once stars in the bodybuilding world, they are accused of using a stun gun, drugging and suffocating 28-year-old Melissa James in December of 2005. James burned body was found in a burned out Jaguar belonging to Ryan.
Details of Kelly Ryan’s plea agreement have not been released, but it appears that Craig Titus has been spared the death penalty.
Titus now faces a possible sentence of 10 to 25 years on the murder charge, 5 to 15 on kidnapping charge, and 2 to 15 years on the arson charge.
May 28, 2008
The morning after attending the Hollywood premiere party for Bigger Stronger Faster, we were lucky to find Lou Ferrigno outside our hotel on Venice Beach on the set of a new Hollywood movie “I Love You, Man” starring Jason Segal, Paul Rudd and Jaime Pressly slated to arrive in theatres in 2009. His role is a small role (and he’s not credited in Internet Movie Database yet) but they still filmed his scene all day today. Of course, Lou Ferrigno is no stranger to Hollywood having starred in the popular television series “The Incredible Hulk.” We had some live video coverage of the movie filming today that were originally aired real-time at Qik. My full report along with Lou Ferrigno photographs will appear on Muscletime.
May 27, 2008
I was fortunate to be in Venice, California this week when my friend Rehan Jalali invited me to attend the premiere party for “Bigger Stronger Faster*” in Hollywood on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. I had the chance to see director Chris Bell, producers and co-writers Tasmin Rawady and Alex Buono again since I last met with them in Dallas. I also had a chance to meet Chris’ parents and brothers Mark “Smelly” Bell and Mike “Mad Dog” Bell. I interviewed several of the “stars” of the film as well including Christian Boeving, Rick Schaff, and Rehan Jalali and other fitness celebrities and insiders in attendance like Mike Ryan. These raw, unedited video streams were originally broadcast live from the Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California.
May 23, 2008
The dumbbell defense is the legal strategy of blaming criminal acts on the psychological effects of anabolic steroids. The criminal defenses of “steroid addiction” and “steroid-induced cognitive deficits” and “steroid facilitated rage reaction” are all variations of the “dumbbell defense.” Most of the time, judges and juries reject being “pumped full of steroids” as a legitimate excuse absolving a defendant of responsbility for a crime. But sometimes it works.
The dumbbell defense was successful in the case of Michael D. Williams, who was a competitive bodybuilder in the 1980s that broke into six homes and set fire to three of them. Williams was acquitted of his crimes because the judge believed “toxic levels of anabolic steroids” resulted in a mental disorder which meant he could not be criminally responsible for his actions.
The case of Maryland vs. Michael D. Williams (1986) was cited by Yesalis and Bahrke in their article on the psychological and behavioral effects of steroids reprinted on MESO-Rx; I found additional information on this case in a recent news story about a man who was fired when he was caught injecting steroids in the workplace.
In 1986, a Prince George’s judge ruled that a prize-winning bodybuilder stationed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station could not be held criminally responsible on charges of breaking into six St. Mary’s homes and setting three of them on fire. The judge concurred with the defendant’s lawyers that he was suffering from a mental disorder caused by the toxic levels of anabolic steroids he had taken to win bodybuilding contests.
The fact that the dumbbell defense has worked in the past explains why it is routinely used when defendants on trial for various crimes happen to use anabolic steroids.
May 23, 2008
The defense attorney for Roberto Pulido blamed anabolic steroids for a long list of crimes committed as part of a police corruption scandal. Pulido claims that being “pumped full of steroids” caused him to get involved in transporting cocaine into Boston. He claims that his steroid addiction made him exaggerate many of his behaviors.
Roberto Pulido and his public defender would like you to believe that anabolic steroids caused or contributed to the following criminal behavior. Why take responsibility for any crime when you can blame steroids?
-
Pulido “knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated and agreed… with other persons, known and unknown, to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, a quantity or mixture of a substance containing cocaine” in excess of 140 kilograms.
-
Pulido obtained identifying information for the identity theft ring, including name, address, date of birth and social security number of identity theft victims. Pulido used Boston Police Department computers to access Registry of Motor vehicle database and pull identifying information on expensive vehicles he observed while on duty. Pulido said, “it’s easy for me, I just run people’s plates, you know. I go look for fucking fancy ass cars and fucking run ‘em like Brookline and Cambridge…”
-
Pulido purchased fraudulent gift cards in amounts in excess of $100,000 at 50 cents on the dollar. He used the gift cards himself and sold other gift cards at a profit.
-
Pulido provided protection for approximately 50-60 after-hours narcotics and prostitution parties where nude dancers and prostitutes often sold sexual favors including lap dances, fellatio and sexual intercourse. Pulido wanted to expand into protecting “water parties” where bottled water and ecstasy were sold in combination.
-
Pulido planted narcotics and a gun in the vehicle of a former business partner, had him arrested during which he had his home robbed of $40,000. Pulido threatened another business partner saying “…if the dog is out and he tries to attackus, half of the dog is gonna be hung on the front door and the other half is gonna be hung on the rear door… Don’t let it go personal. If you want to make it personal, after the dog it will be your wife, then it’ll be your mother, then it’ll be your brother, and it’ll be your unborn child.” Pulido, in full military gear, physically assaulted an individual he suspected of stealing his car stereo stating.
-
Pulido cashed illegal alien’s checks for a 10% money laundering fee.
-
Pulido attempted to sell his girlfriend’s truck to a “chop-shop” and filed a false police report claiming it was stolen in order to collect reimbursement from his insurance company in a case of insurance fraud.
-
Pulido smuggled illegal aliens into the country for $5,000 per person.
-
Pulido gave up sensitive information on his fellow officers at the Boston Police Department to individuals outside the department.
-
Pulido aided and abetted loan sharking.
-
Pulido trafficked in stolen electronics.
Apparently steroid use by police officers is the least of our worries; a bigger threat to the public safety is police corruption. Unless, of course, you believe that anabolic steroids are the root of all evil when it comes to police corruption!
I’m reminded that criminal defenses of “steroid addiction” and “steroid-induced cognitive deficits” and “steroid facilitated rage reaction” are all variations of the “dumbbell defense” that Yesalis and Bahrke addressed in a review of the psychological effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Several cases have recently been reported (Coacher & Workman 1989; Editorial 1988b,c,d,e; Lubell 1989; Maryland v. Michael D. Williams 1986; Moss 1988) wherein presumed psychological and behavioural effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids are alleged by defendants to have significantly influenced the commission of criminal acts. This legal strategy has been identified in the popular press as the ‘dumbbell defense’ (Editorial 1988c).
These defense strategies have become more popular with the increasing degree of steroid demonization in our society. Fortunately, these legal strategies, lacking in any credible scientific support, are not terrible effective in our justice system.
May 21, 2008
Roberto Pulido (aka Kiko aka Anthony Williams) was an corrupt officer with the Boston Police Department who was involved in various illegal activities including steroid dealing. He regularly imported anabolic steroids such as Winstrol, Dianabol, Deca Durabolin and Testosterone from a Greek source; he ordered them by phone, deposited funds in the source’s U.S. bank account, and received large shipments via common courier at several private homes and businesses on at least five occassions according to court documents. He even advised FBI uncover agents on how to successfully import anabolic steroids from overseas.
Pulido boasted, “the key to mailing shit (steroids) here in this country is you gotta mail it in photo paper. You know the paper, that fucking carbon paper … you buy that paper, you wrap it in that and that’s it. There’s nothing that can get an x-ray through that, and dogs can’t sniff through that.”
Pulido was so corrupt and involved in so many illegal activities that federal prosecutors didn’t even bother with steroid conspiracy or steroid distribution charges. They settled on conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin; he escorted trucks bringing at least 140 kilograms of cocaine into Boston with plans to protect shipments of 500 kg on an ongoing basis. He was sentenced to 26 years in prison for this crime.
In this unbelievable police corruption scandal, Pulido and his defense attorney blamed anabolic steroids for his crimes (”Boston officer sentenced to 26 years in drug case,” May 16).
Pulido’s public defender, who said her client’s abuse of steroids contributed to his crimes.
[...]
Pulido said he was pumped full of steroids when he suggested to undercover agents in Atlantic City that he knew a good way to transport cocaine into Boston.
He said a steroid addiction made him exaggerate many of the statements he made on the surveillance tapes and called many of his comments pure fantasy. In his mind at the time, he said, he was playing a role in a Hollywood movie. He even recited lines from “Training Day,” the film about a corrupt officer.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I was acting,” he said. “It was pure puffery.”
Pro-steroid and anti-steroid bloggers have laughed at this preposterous defense.
I will write more about the “steroids made me do it” defense aka dumbbell defense shortly.
May 20, 2008
Bodybuilding brothers Justin and Jonathan DeProspo are being sentenced this month for their role in distributing anabolic steroids and human growth hormone manufactured by British Dragon and IP aka International Pharmaceuticals (”Brothers receiving prison sentences for steroid distribution,” May 20).
According to court documents, their case was apparently part of a larger ongoing investigation of the “British Dragon Anabolic Steroid Manufacturing and Distribution Organization” by federal investigators. Clearly, the recently arrested founder of British Dragon has been on the steroid most wanted list for some time. Read more
May 20, 2008
The Florida Legislature refused to continue funding a pilot program for steroid testing of high school athletes. State budget problems did not allow legislators to justify spending $175 to $200 per student on random testing for anabolic steroids. Out of 700 tests costing approximately $100,000, one high school student tested positive for anabolic steroid use (”Prep drug testing runs out of juice,” May 19).
The Florida High School Athletic Association will present the results to the legislature in October, Llorente said, but the FHSAA already has a good idea of what they are.
FHSAA spokeswoman Cristina Alvarez confirmed Monday that more than 700 student-athletes have been randomly tested this school year, and only one test came back positive. The positive test was from a football player, Alvarez said, and no athletes from the winter or spring seasons have tested positive.
Rep. Marcelo Llorente, the bill sponsor, feels that $100,000 is a small price to pay to catch a single steroid user.
“It shows that the program deterred young high school athletes from using steroids,” Llorente said. “If we deter one young person in the state from doing steroids and intervene in a positive fashion, I think it becomes a worthwhile endeavor.”
Fortunately, at least one athletic director is a little more reasonable when addressing the issue of steroid testing in high school.
Not everyone agrees. Boca Raton Athletic Director Bill Massey pointed out that it “cost us $100,000 to find that one student.”
“It was a nice idea, probably a more politically correct thing to do,” Massey said of the testing. “To test 1 percent of the state is not a significant number that the student-athletes modified their behavior, and I don’t think it’s as widespread as we would like to say among athletes.”
May 20, 2008
The Australian Government Solicitator has ruled that a secret pilot program involving the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and Medicare was illegal. ASADA had been reviewing government Medicare prescription records and cross-referencing them with names of athletes in an effort to catch athletes using prohibited substances. Not surprisingly to anyone, the Government Solicitator determined that ASADA illegally violated athlete privacy and doctor-patient confidentiality (”Secret athlete drug probe ‘illegal’, says Government Solicitor,” May 20).
An ASADA spokesperson was unapologetic about the illegality of their methods and privacy issues involved. After all, the ASADA illegal invasion of medical privacy program was a “world first” and apparently justified because it was “aimed at catching drug cheats who might otherwise escape detection.”
The spokesperson even bragged that they were deserving of an apology for the “embarrassment” and “difficult position” placed on ASADA by revelations of the illegal program.
ASADA continues to work with Customs and other agencies including the Australian Federal Police, but has now been forced to scrap the pilot program. It was a world first and part of a suite of measures aimed at catching drug cheats who might otherwise escape detection.
[...]
Insisting ASADA had acted in good faith, the ASADA spokeswoman said the agency had received an apology from the AGS “for any embarrassment and for the difficult position in which this has placed ASADA”.
Sometimes people within anti-doping agencies feel their moral authority justifies their unfair, and sometimes illegal, persecution of athletes in their pursuit of integrity in sports.
Kate Ellis, the new Australian Sports Minister, was considerably more reasonable in her comments to the press, acknowledging the anti-doping agencies must also play by the rules too.
Ms Ellis, who spoke at a meeting of world anti-doping investigators in Sydney recently, at which ASADA is understood to have outlined its methods, said the fight against performance-enhancing drugs needed to be tough but fair.
“If athletes are drug cheats then we will use every fair and legal avenue to ensure they get caught and appropriately sanctioned,” Ms Ellis said.
May 18, 2008
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has notified law enforcement agencies around the country to be on the look out for anabolic steroids in Eco Oils packages that purported contain indian aromatherapy oils. In the April 2008 issue of the DEA’s Microgram Bulletin to law enforcement “forensic scientists concerned with the detection and analyses of suspected controlled substances,” the DEA reports on the first encounter of this type of steroid packaging by the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Laboratory system.
The suspect in the case admitted to steroid abuse and indicated that the package actually contained “Sustanon” (which is a steroid cocktail containing the following testosterone esters: Propionate 30 milligrams, phenylpropionate 60 milligrams, isocaproate 60 milligrams, and decanoate 100 milligrams). The package markings included the website “821.in,” and indicated that the contents were Indian Aromatherapy Oils. The oil fluoresced when concentrated sulfuric acid was added and the resulting mixture was subjected to UV irradiation. Analysis of a methanol extract of the oil (total net volume 3.1 milliliters) by GC/MS confirmed testosterone propionate, cypionate, and decanoate in an approximate 4 : 3 : 1 ratio based on the TIC. The results indicated that the oil was not actually “Sustanon,” but rather a substitute or mimic steroid cocktail.
It is surprising that it has taken law enforcement so long to take notice of the sachet packaging. After all, they have been openly and widely discussed on various mainstream bodybuilding forums and popular steroid forums for almost two years. The existence of steroid sachets have largely remained a secret to most law enforcement officials. The DEA alert across agencies could likely make law enforcement more vigilant to this type of packaging in the future.
The Eco Oils sachets have been widely distributed since the summer of 2006 with information websites (originally at EcoOils.net and 821.in). The website URL 821.in was listed on the sachets and provided information about the alleged aromatherapy oil ingredients including Lavender oil, Euclaptus, Pogostemum Patchouli, Rosemarinus. Steroid users could find information about the steroid ingredients at the website EcoOils.net (with identical information now appearing at Eco-Oils.net). The line of anabolic steroids distributed by Eco Oils included nandrolone decanoate, trenbolone acetate, testosterone cypionate, testosterone enanthanate, dromastolone propionate, testoserone propionate, boldenone undeclaynate, methenolone enanthate, trenbolone enanthate, nandrolone undecanoate, sustanon, nandrolone mix, nandrolone phenylpropionate and boldenone mix.
As early as 2006, steroid experts like William Llewellyn (author of Anabolics 2007 and Body of Science) and others had already submitted samples of the Eco Oils sachets to San Rafael Chemical Services (before the DEA raided SRCS and subsequently prevented them from analyzing anabolic steroid samples). The lab analyses confirmed that the products contained ingredients and dosages that closely approximated what was advertised on their website.
May 16, 2008
BALCO’s Victor Conte provides a detailed outline of performance enhancing drugs for elite level (sprint) track athletes in a letter written to Dwain Chambers entitled “Improving UK Sport’s Anti-doping Policies and Procedures.”
Victor Conte’s letter details how elite track athletes can used performance enhancing drugs to maximize performance with precise dosing and timing for each ergogenic drug.
1. THG (Tetrahydrogestrinone)
THG is a previously undetectable designer steroid nicknamed “the clear.” It was primarily used in the off season and was taken two days per week, typically on Mondays and Wednesdays. Generally, these were the two most intense weight-training days of the week. The purpose was to accelerate healing and tissue repair. Thirty units (IU) of the liquid was place under the tongue during the morning time-frame. THG was used in cycles of “three weeks on and one week off.”
2. Testosterone / Epitestosterone Cream
Testosterone/epitestosterone cream was also primarily used during the off season. It was rubbed into the skin on the front of the forearm two days per week, typically Tuesdays and Thursdays. The dosage was ½ gram which contained 50mg of testosterone and 2.5mg of epitestosterone (20 to 1 ratio). The purpose was to offset the suppression of endogenous testosterone caused by the use of the THG and to accelerate recovery. The testosterone/epitestosterone cream was also used in cycles of three weeks on and one week off.
3. Procrit (EPO or Erythropoietin)
EPO was used three days per week during the “corrective phase”, which is the first two weeks of a cycle. Typically, it was on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It was only used once per week during the “maintenance phase” thereafter, typically this was every Wednesday. The dosage was 4,000 IU per injection. The purpose was to increase the red blood cell count and enhance oxygen uptake and utilization. This substance provides a big advantage to sprinters because it enables them to do more track repetitions and obtain a much deeper training load during the off season. EPO becomes undetectable about 72 hours after subcutaneous injection (stomach) and only 24 hours after intravenous injection.
4. Serostim (HGH or Human Growth Hormone)
HGH was used three nights per week, typically on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each injection would contain 4.5 units of growth hormone. Once again, this substance was used primarily during the off season to help with recovery from very strenuous weight training sessions.
Insulin was used after strenuous weight training sessions during the off season. Three units of Humalog (fast-acting insulin) were injected immediately after the workout sessions together with a powdered drink that contained 30 grams of dextrose, 30 grams of whey protein isolates and 3 grams of creatine. The purpose was to quickly replenish glycogen, resynthesize ATP and promote protein synthesis and muscle growth. Insulin acts as a “shuttle system” in the transport of glucose and branch chain amino acids. There is no test available for insulin at this time.
6. Provigil (Modafinil)
Modafinil was used as a “wakefulness promoting” agent before competitions. The purpose was to decrease fatigue and enhance mental alertness and reaction time. A 200mg tablet was consumed one hour before competition.
7. Cytomel (T3 or Liothryonine)
Liothryonine was used help accelerate the basic metabolic rate before competitions. The purpose was to reduce sluggishness and increase quickness. Two 25mg tablets were taken one hour before competition. There is no test available for liothryonine at this time.
May 16, 2008
It does NOT appear that Chris and Jennifer Navoy distributed anabolic steroids and/or human growth hormone in connection with the bodybuilding research chemicals sold via their website at ResearchChemist.com. This is contrary to a citizen complaint and police and media reports alleging that the couple sold and distributed steroids and HGH online.
The drugs that the couple actually distributed were openly advertised as non-scheduled “research chemicals” for several years on their websites. Federal authorities seized drugs that are the active ingredients in brand name drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, Dostinex, Clomid, and Arimidex from their home in Roswell, Georgia.
The media is now calling these “steroid-related drugs” rather than admit this does not appear to be a steroid distribution case.
Police also seized two bottles of testosterone cypionate “prescribed” to Christian Navoy; human growth hormone was not found anywhere. Agents discovered used syringes, vials, and an empty Component T-H (trenbolone acetate 200mg) box – all consistent with personal use – in the trash outside the Navoy’s home over the course of a three month investigation. One hundreds vials of Livzon brand human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which is not an anabolic steroid or growth hormone, were seized by customs officials arriving from China.
The small quantities of testosterone and trenbolone suggest that these anabolic steroids were solely for personal use (bodybuilding purposes) and not distribution.
The only charge listed in the criminal complaint is the “unlawful distribution of sildenafil citrate” also known as Viagra.
This case could very well establish the precedent for legality of the sale of “research chemicals” that are of particular interest to the bodybuilding community. The research chemical niche has thrived for several years on the internet.
May 15, 2008
ResearchChemist.com, a major research chemical website operating out of Georgia, was busted this week. The website sells various bodybuilding ancillary drugs such as Cabergoline, Clomiphene, Sildenafil, Diphenhydramine, Dutasteride, Exemestane, Tadalifil, Finasteride, Letrozole, Tamoxifen, and Vardenafil (”Police: Mansion Residents Earning $30K A Day Making Drugs,” May 14).
Roswell police Lieutenant James McGee said Tuesday the operation sold HGH, testosterone and copy-cat versions of Cialis online and through mail order, netting an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 a day.
The Roswell Police Department SWAT Team and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations raided the “mansion” home of Christian and Jennifer Navoy in the upscale Sentinel on the River Subdivision of Roswell, Georgia. According to property records, the Navoys purchased the home at 8585 Sentinae Chase Drive, Roswell, GA 30076 for $745,000 in July 2006. They moved to Georgia from Fort Walton Beach, Florida where they were employed as a registered nurse and a licensed physical therapist.
The couple has operated similar websites for several years including SyntholDirect.com and PumpnPose.com where they previously sold research chemicals until the spring of 2004 when they launched ResearchChemist.com (”Roswell Home in Sentinel on the River Subdivision Raided for Sales of HGH, Testosterone, and Copy-Cat Cialis,” May 14).
The couple sold $25,000-$30,000 a day, making more than $100,000 a week selling the drugs over the internet all over the country. It is believed the couple had been producing the drugs for years, however it wasn’t until recently when authorities received a tip that they began investigating.
According to the Atlanta Constitution Journal, charges against Chris and Jennifer Navoy are pending from the FDA. A local television station WSBTV reports that the Navoys are now in the custody of the Roswell Police Department after turning themselves in late Wednesday.
While it is unclear if investigators actually discovered anabolic steroids, testosterone or growth hormone, they surely discovered large inventories of the various research chemicals advertised on the website ResearchChemist.com.
(via Inside Bodybuilding)
May 13, 2008
USA Today recently asked the the “top” presidential campaigns about their positions on anabolic steroids and anabolic steroids in sports (”Where the candidates stand on sports issues,” May 8).
Senator Hillary Clinton supports federal efforts to eliminate steroids from professional sports:
Senator Clinton sees our sports leagues as public trusts and our sports heroes as key public role models for our children, and believes in the importance of promoting clean, drug-free professional sports. In her view, leagues should take the lead in vigorously enforcing their own strict drug policies, but if we were to see frequent and flagrant continued abuse of performance-enhancing drugs by professional athletes, she would certainly speak out against it as president and consider appropriate federal action.
Senator Barack Obama supports spending additional federal funds to enforce existing steroid laws:
As a father and an avid sports fan, I understand the dangers that performance enhancing drugs pose for athletes, as well as the teenagers who seek to emulate them, not to mention the effect that these drugs have on the integrity of sports. As president, I would use the bully pulpit of my office to warn Americans about the dangers of performance enhancing drugs, and I would put greater resources into enforcement of existing drug laws. I would also convene a summit of the commissioners of the professional sports leagues, as well as university presidents, to explore options for decreasing the use of these drugs.
Senator John McCain supports federal steroid education efforts promoting “devastating” and “destructive” side effects of steroids, aggressive prosecution of steroid-related cases, enforcement of DSHEA to keep anabolic steroids out of dietary supplements, and “necessary support” to help anti-doping agencies detect undetectable designer anabolic steroids:
Since the beginning of the steroids scandals John McCain has consistently said that the important aspect of the issue is not the well-being of the multi-milliondollar professional athletes who choose to use banned substances to cheat themselves and their sport, but rather the effects these substances are having on our youth. In a simple point and click, our children today are able to obtain illegal performance-enhancing substances on the Internet in just a few days. The use of these substances among adolescents in the U.S. has reached epidemic proportions and the health effects of usage are devastating — leading to depression, suicide, stunted growth, and the deterioration of the liver, kidneys, bones, and reproductive organs. We have every reason to believe that what kids are doing indubitably will show up in doctor’s offices 15 years from now, so John McCain believes it is imperative that we act now.
A McCain administration would continue an aggressive prosecutorial approach, and will focus more on educating our youth about the destructive effects of these substances. And it’s not just performance-enhancing drugs. Our kids are obtaining prescription drugs over the Internet at an alarming rate. His administration would encourage schools to include lessons concerning the adverse health effects of these substances as part of physical education, and disseminate these educational messages at the grassroots level. In addition, my administration would ensure that dietary supplement manufacturers are in compliance with the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA) and not seeking shelter for substances that were never intended to be protected under the Act. A McCain administration would continue to pressure professional sports leagues to adopt zero-tolerance doping policies, and ensure that the Olympic athletes that represent our Nation do so with honor. Also, A McCain administration will provide the necessary support to research laboratories that are working to outpace the science developed by those who seek substances undetectable to testing.
USA Today did not ask the campaign of Representative Ron Paul for his position on anabolic steroids in sports, but his campaign has unapologetically gone on record as being completely against the war on drugs which would logically include the war on steroids:
For the first 140 years of our history, we had essentially no Federal war on drugs, and far fewer problems with drug addiction and related crimes was a consequence. In the past 30 years, even with the hundreds of millions of dollars spent on the drug war, little good has come of it. We have vacillated from efforts to stop the drugs at the source to severely punishing the users, yet nothing has improved. This war has been behind most big government policy powers of the last 30 years, with continual undermining of our civil liberties and personal privacy.
May 13, 2008
The lack of sensitivity exhibited by the companies and organizations that administer doping and steroid testing is upsetting a lot of people. I understand certain protocol must be followed but the invasive nature of such procedures will inevitably have a negative backlash. The latest instance of drug testers invading events of personal significance comes from Cuero High School in Texas (”Steroid testing interrupts award ceremony,” May 12).
Thirty random student-athletes were tested at Cuero on Thursday for the first time since the UIL adopted the testing program. The testing was scheduled from 8-11:30 a.m. and interfered with the awards which started at 9 a.m. The time conflict forced student-athletes to miss parts of the ceremony.
The UIL refused to change the testing times when requested by school officials.
“We talked to the UIL about changing the time, but they would not change it,” Reeve said. “The school doesn’t have any control over when we’re going to be tested. This is the first year for testing and we were chosen by lottery. We couldn’t let anybody know about the testing.”
While it may not seem like a big deal to most people. The family of students affected are quite upset. Grandmother Mary Kahlich shared her frustration about the incidence in her recent comments on steroid testing in high schools at the MESO-Rx Blog.
As a result of this, my grandson missed his award presentations. just because he could not pee in and fill a cup. This child has worked very hard and achieved a lot. He has finished High School in 3 years and will be going to Texas A&M this fall in the ROTC progran with paid scholarship. He received many awards of which he was not present to accept. He now has on pictures to put in his school album to show his hard work. His other grandparents and aunt and uncle drove from elsewhere to support him but never got to see him reeive not one award. I believe the testing could have taken place just after the ceremony. They knew which kids that they were going to test. They could have done this after the ceremony. Where were the kids going to go? They were all marched into the gymn y class with all teachers, principles, aides, etc. I am writing so that no other child will have to go thru this. No wonder good kids go bad. All sports activities were over with. This should have been done earlier in the year.
Kahlich’s comments highlight another problem with steroid testing in Texas high schools. Why would steroid testing be conducted on graduating seniors when all of their high school extracurricular sporting activities have been concluded?
While this is not quite as bad as the cyclist who was ordered to submit a sample for a doping test while he was arranging for the funeral of his infant son who died shortly after birth, it is still troubling.
Belgian cyclist Kevin Van Impe was taken for a routine drugs test just as he was at the crematorium filling in papers following the death of his baby son, media reported Saturday.
The Quick Step rider was at Lochristi crematorium when a drugs tester turned up and demanded he provide a sample, warning that otherwise he could face a two-year suspension.
“He wouldn’t even come back later in the day. It was either do it right on the spot or it would be taken as if I had refused,” Van Impe told Web site www.sport.be.
Van Impe was arranging the funeral of son Jayden, born prematurely on Monday and who died just six hours later.
After all, in some instances, doping testers allow some flexibility in exactly when athletes can submit their sample. For example, it seems that allowing two hours for an athlete to conclude a sexual liaison with his girlfriend before submitting a doping sample is permissible.
Florian Busch remains eligible to play for Germany at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.
The World Anti-Doping Agency had requested that he be suspended from the event after refusing a doping test two months ago but the IIHF decided Wednesday that it would not take that action.
The German Ice Hockey Association cleared Busch to play before the start of the world championship and the IIHF says it is not in a position to interfere with decisions made by its member nations.
