I don't consider myself a philosopher but I have always admired great thinkers. I am a student of ethics and the philosophy of science.
I have wondered about what to do to make a change. I have looked at the DEA site in America and wondered if something can be done there. What bothers me about that is steroids are in a totally different class to the mind altering drugs that are illegal such as cocaine and heroin. The DEA has no right to enforce silly legislation against people who want more muscle. Well, they have a duty to enforce the law but obviously they are doing very little re steroids.
The legal road would be an expensive one. I was wondering if some government body might support a challenge. There is no way an individual can afford to challenge the IFBB. Not with the Weider fortune behind them. Not that Ben or Joe would want to spend anything if they didn't have to!
I thought about the media and wondered who out there would want to take this torch and support the campaign. A politician might want to get exposure for helping to clean up a sport. The trouble is most people don't want to be associated with bodybuilding and brawy guys. It is a big ask.
I hesitate because I am not that informed about the actual drug use by the pros. I never talk to bodybuilders about drugs. When Ray Mentzer was living at my place I never asked him what he took. I can't speak as an informed authority about the depth of what is going on. In this thread Bob is keeping us in the dark. I can't rely on information posted by gh15. Unless I have a candid pro onside I really can't say I know what I am talking about. It is one thing to say that guys are using this and that but another to actually know it and have proof. If the press interviewed a guy like Bob he could easily convince them that I knew nothing about what the pros are doing.
I don't agree, a drug is a drug!
Addiction is addiction; it is real and destructive! I can't believe you would say that?
Steroids, like cocaine are addictive. Athletes talk about the rush they feel, and the subsequent euphoria, after they have 'shotten' up gear!
A steroid user will suffer similar side effects to that of a recreational drug user; mood swings, hormonal changes and organ damage.
Athletes who use steroids oftern talk about the 'window' being left open to 'investigate and use' other recreational drugs.
Many would agree that if you are going the route of sticking needles in your butt then using 'other drugs' is not that much of an issue!
-Vince, your idea of a DEA probe is a good one. Imagine if the DEA showed up at every Pro Event and started harassing the participants; the confidence and credibility of the sport would disappear overnight!