New York Police Department (NYPD) Deputy Chief Michael Marino refused to accept departmental punishment that would dock him 30 days pay and place him on one year probation (”Steroid Cop will fight the rap,” August 15). 

Marino was on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for which he obtained a topical testosterone cream from a Lowen’s Pharmacy. Unfortunately, Lowen’s Pharmacy was implicated in a high-profile steroid scandal involving the illegal distribution of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. The steroid hysteria involving cops on steroids unfairly maligned the media, the public, and NYPD against steroid use for any reason - even legitimate medical reasons.

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