I found this:
If you can get past the illogical way the story goes from a police officer who may or may not have had a case of 'roid rage to an “emerging problem” in police forces it kind of explores what I’ve been wondering about PED’s: If I needed to take a PED just to do my job, would I? Would I be “cheating”? Why is it “cheating” in professional sports and not in real life?
I count caffeine as a PED. Anyone use caffeine to get going, stay alert, work longer, etc?
Police/Guards using steroids is an old story. Guards will say “The inmates are, we have to”, and cops would say the same thing about criminals.
Just read canseco’s book, “Juiced”, and he (Jose) seems to say the same things that my PED using buddies say about steroids. Moderate amounts, on-off cycles, and there’s limited problems. Too often, steroid abusers represent steroid users in the media … which would be the equivalent of using Mike Tyson to represent the “typical black male”. [Don’t get me wrong, I am not equating Jose to a genius, but someone that’s used steroids for 20 years has practical experience and knowledge)
As for roid rage, IMO, it’s a term that’s made up for effect. As my buddies say, “An a’hole on roids will be a bigger a’hole but someone with a clam demeanor will remain calm”. The worst scenario is a skinny guy that uses steroids and get big muscles quickly. Now, he’s on a mission to impose his will on the world.
Why is it “cheating” in professional sports and not in real life?
Partly for the same reason drafting is illegal in a tri race but not in your real-life group ride. It’s against the rules. Professional sports are not real life, they’re games.
Now, as to cops and other professional types using steroids to do their job better, it’s an interesting question. I have a friend who’s a Navy SEAL, and we used to discuss the idea quite a bit. His take on it, basically, was that if they helped him complete his mission, and if it increased the likelihood of his survival, and his team’s survival, he couldn’t see an ethical argument against it.
His take on it, basically, was that if they helped him complete his mission, and if it increased the likelihood of his survival, and his team’s survival, he couldn’t see an ethical argument against it.
Athletes basically look at it the same way … as their opponent trying to “take food off their table”. I always found it strange to hear that coming from someone making $54 million over 6 years … but I guess they do have a point, albeit an exaggerated one.
This seems to be a fairly big deal in law enforcement circles … particularly among the brass (who make hiring, firing and policy decisions). When I first got into law enforcement in the late 90s, I don’t remember ever being asked about steroids; other drugs, sure. But not steroids.
I’m currently in the hiring process for a deptartment in Colorado, and they asked several questions – under oath in written form on a background questionaire and polygraph/VSA – specifically about steroid use both pass and present. This department seemed to make little distinction between recreational drugs and steroids.
I think there are two complimentary issues here: 1 – PEDs are illegal; 2 – The possibility of hyper-aggression and health problems for users. I’m not sure which they care about more.
I don’t personally know any officers who’ve used; but I’ve heard rumors.
Just a guess, but I’m pretty sure that steroids break several rules within the DoD and the Navy. If so, then I would then guess use of steroids would be ethically wrong.
Not sure if it is morally bad. I guess your friend could say that since it helps him it is not morally wrong. But if he is religious it is morally wrong. It is culturally wrong, that is a part of morals.
But if I’m choosing between coming home in a body bag, and coming home alive but having used steroids, I don’t know what I pick. I think you can’t separate the character of conduct from the act.
Steroids are illegal though in the US, so as to using them for your job, they are also illegal; even if they are not expressly prohibited in an employment contract.
I know a lot of SEALs and SpecOps guys in the Navy and I’m not really sure what steroids would do to help them out. I can see the use of PEDs more like what you see in cycling or distance running, because it’s more a matter of endurance and stamina plus the ability to focus over long periods of time even when you’re exhausted. I’m not sure steroids would do the trick. However, all kinds of drugs are illegal in the DoD and we’re tested pretty frequently and completely randomly so using a banned substance would be pretty dangerous. In the Navy, and I’m pretty sure DoD-wide, drug use is a zero-tolerance issue. One positive test and you’re administratively separated.
Amphetamines are illegal but Air Force pilots often take “go pillls” right? Are they perscribed by a doctor or given to them under the table?
slowguy, recovery from muscle breakdown and increased stamina (related) are key benefits of steroids … and IMO, 2 things that Navy Seals could benefit from greatly. I’m talking moderate, on-off use here … not abuse in ten to twenty times the recommended doses … and not hooked up to a “backpack” via tubes inserted into the brain, i.e. Bane from Batman. =)
It’s sort of difficult for me to envision a professional that could benefit from low-mod steroid use than the Navy Seals. I am not an expert on Navy Seals, outside that of my knowledge of it being incredibly physically and mentally demanding. A lot of steroid users I know talk about the “mental edge” and “increased confidence” they feel when “on” .
Just a guess, but I’m pretty sure that steroids break several rules within the DoD and the Navy. If so, then I would then guess use of steroids would be ethically wrong.
It was more of a hypothetical, really- let’s say for the sake of argument that he had an exemption due to his job requirements, which isn’t really all that outlandish a proposition.
The only real argument I can come up with against it centers around the harmful effects of steroids, both for long term physical health, and psychological stability. It wouldn’t do him or his team much good if he dropped dead of a heart attack in the middle of a mission, or freaked out in a roid rage in the middle of an ambush.
I don’t know what Air Force pilots do or don’t take. If they got caught taking an illegal drug, they would be processed out in a split second.
Dang, can’t find the article, but there was recently something about how the military has developed pills that let you go for 3 days without sleep, then sleep for about 2 hours, then go for another 2 days. It was pretty crazy.
I don’t really ever envision the DoD or Navy giving an exemption for drug use, but if it’s a hypothetical than it makes for an interesting debate.
Hope your friend is safe in all his current missions and doesn’t have to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan again (even if he wants to).
I don’t really ever envision the DoD or Navy giving an exemption for drug use
I’m not sure that they don’t do that already.
Dang, can’t find the article, but there was recently something about how the military has developed pills that let you go for 3 days without sleep, then sleep for about 2 hours, then go for another 2 days. It was pretty crazy.
I though that was common knowlege. Various forms of amphetamines, and they certainly must be condoned by he USAF…
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030103-speed01.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2002/021028-speed1.htm
but maybe not so much in the Navy?
“Dang, can’t find the article, but there was recently something about how the military has developed pills that let you go for 3 days without sleep, then sleep for about 2 hours, then go for another 2 days. It was pretty crazy.”
Like I said, I don’t know what the pilots take or don’t take. I’ve not heard much about Navy pilots taking them, but I work mostly with helo pilots who don’t fly missions that are generally 10 hours long. The don’t give any of that crap to us ship drivers. Nothing but Mountain Dew and Coffee for us, and we like it that way. 
Like I said, I don’t know what the pilots take or don’t take. I’ve not heard much about Navy pilots taking them, but I work mostly with helo pilots who don’t fly missions that are generally 10 hours long. The don’t give any of that crap to us ship drivers. Nothing but Mountain Dew and Coffee for us, and we like it that way.
In Air Force lingo, these are “go pills.” There are two types. Dextroamphetamine, or Dexedrine, has been around for decades. In November 2003, the Air Force approved Modafinil for use by bomber, tanker and airlift pilots. Lieutenant Smith helped test the new drug on F-117 Nighthawk pilots. It was something she said was important and exciting, because unlike Dexedrine which has side effects, the new compound is different.
“Nine out of 10 of the pilots couldn’t tell they were even taking a drug,” she said. “But it was still helping their performance.”
http://www.af.mil/news/airman/1204/nerd.shtml
And looks like there’s some use, if less, inthe Navy too
Still, extended flight missions have been routine for decades in the armed forces — usually without the benefit of the pills. Navy aviators, for example, only began using Dexedrine in November of last year, well into the Afghan campaign. (Navy doctors approved a go-pill program in 2000.)
“Our standard mission was 10-12 hours and there was never any suggestion that we take anything,” says retired Navy Capt. Charles “Chuck” Sipe, who flew Cold War patrol missions in a P-3 Orion and now teaches at the Naval War College. “If you’re too tired to fly, you don’t take a pill to boost your endurance. It’s a bad idea.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3071789/
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On a related note, a lot of medical students/residents rely on caffeine pretty heavily though some intense rotations where it’s hard to get much sleep… I wonder what the prevalence of other stimulants is?
Pilots are pansies with their Dexedrine and their “8 hours a day crew rest” crap. Let’s see one of them get up for the rev watch, stand that 4 hour watch (standing, not sitting in some comfy cockpit), then work a full day, then stand a 5 hour mid watch, and then roll right into a Sea and Anchor detail in the morning with no sleep and nothing but Mountain Dew and pure ship driving guts to keep them going. Losers.
You tell 'em
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Man, it sounds just like my office: all the Army, Navy and Airfoce guys yelling insults at each other. And me as the lowly non-military guy just laughing on the inside wishing I could play along.