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After a six-month investigation, New Jersey?s attorney general comes up with new measures to curtail the abuse of anabolic steroids by several law enforcement officers in the state. An investigative report by a local newspaper last year prompted the state to investigate the rampant use of steroids by police officers and firefighters. It was estimated that at least 248 officers obtained illegal prescriptions for steroids and HGH from a Jersey City doctor. It was also found out that these police officers used their health benefits to pay for these steroids.
In the previous months, lawmakers in New Jersey filed several bills to address the problem. One of the stalwart proponents of the new bills is Rep John McKeon. If these proposals are approved, the state will be the first in the country to implement an anti-doping policy aimed at law enforcement officers. Currently, most state and other organizations focus on the abuse of steroids by professional athletes.
New Policies will Deter Officers to Use Steroids
New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow told the media that reforms and new measures will be implemented in New Jersey law enforcement agencies. ?It is important that we strengthen oversight, regulation and investigation in order to discourage the improper use of steroids throughout New Jersey?s law enforcement community and ensure the public?s confidence,? Dow said.
She said the revisions of existing policies will give police department new powers to test officers who are suspected of using steroids. The new measures will also allow them to investigate doctors who might be involved in the illegal prescriptions of performance enhancing drugs.
Dow also recommended a more stringent supervision of the state-funded health benefits program. Millions were spent by the state for these illegal prescriptions of steroids and hgh. ?The cost is borne not just by taxpayers, but in the erosion of faith people have in those who protect and serve. This is unacceptable,? she said.
Police Chiefs Supports New Measures
While the implementation of these new measures will still depend on each department, the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is confident that all will follow the recommendations. William Nally, the president of the association, told the media that police departments across the state will include random steroid testing in their regular drug testing program. ?I?m sure as soon as the policy is revised, almost every police department that?s involved in drug testing will incorporate this into their policies,? said Nally.
Although the cost is still a major factor in the inclusion of steroid tests, random testing of some officers every six months will suffice. The cost of regular drug test is $35 while a steroid test cost around $250.
Police Unions in New Jersey are also supportive of the random steroid testing. The spokesperson of New Jersey Police Benevolent Association told Reuters that they don?t want any law enforcement officer taking illegally prescribed drugs.
Random Testing for Steroids Important Alternative
Members of the investigating panel believed that their recommendations will have a strong deterring effect on law enforcement officers. Since the state is already implementing the prescription monitoring program, it will now discourage doctors to prescribe steroids and human growth hormone if it is not medically needed. Prosecutor Camelia Valdes, a member of the panel, said it will force hard core users to purchase from the black market which will make it easier for the prosecutors file criminal charges.
Even if the coverage of steroid testing is not department wide, they still consider it as the best alternative in curtailing the abuse of steroids in the law enforcement. Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini said that this measure is a win-win solution. ?There?s a genuine feeling that the image of law enforcement is as important as the job they do, so if this is something that will bring comfort to the public, then it?s good for law enforcement, and it?s good for the public,? said Bocchini.
In the previous months, lawmakers in New Jersey filed several bills to address the problem. One of the stalwart proponents of the new bills is Rep John McKeon. If these proposals are approved, the state will be the first in the country to implement an anti-doping policy aimed at law enforcement officers. Currently, most state and other organizations focus on the abuse of steroids by professional athletes.
New Policies will Deter Officers to Use Steroids
New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow told the media that reforms and new measures will be implemented in New Jersey law enforcement agencies. ?It is important that we strengthen oversight, regulation and investigation in order to discourage the improper use of steroids throughout New Jersey?s law enforcement community and ensure the public?s confidence,? Dow said.
She said the revisions of existing policies will give police department new powers to test officers who are suspected of using steroids. The new measures will also allow them to investigate doctors who might be involved in the illegal prescriptions of performance enhancing drugs.
Dow also recommended a more stringent supervision of the state-funded health benefits program. Millions were spent by the state for these illegal prescriptions of steroids and hgh. ?The cost is borne not just by taxpayers, but in the erosion of faith people have in those who protect and serve. This is unacceptable,? she said.
Police Chiefs Supports New Measures
While the implementation of these new measures will still depend on each department, the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is confident that all will follow the recommendations. William Nally, the president of the association, told the media that police departments across the state will include random steroid testing in their regular drug testing program. ?I?m sure as soon as the policy is revised, almost every police department that?s involved in drug testing will incorporate this into their policies,? said Nally.
Although the cost is still a major factor in the inclusion of steroid tests, random testing of some officers every six months will suffice. The cost of regular drug test is $35 while a steroid test cost around $250.
Police Unions in New Jersey are also supportive of the random steroid testing. The spokesperson of New Jersey Police Benevolent Association told Reuters that they don?t want any law enforcement officer taking illegally prescribed drugs.
Random Testing for Steroids Important Alternative
Members of the investigating panel believed that their recommendations will have a strong deterring effect on law enforcement officers. Since the state is already implementing the prescription monitoring program, it will now discourage doctors to prescribe steroids and human growth hormone if it is not medically needed. Prosecutor Camelia Valdes, a member of the panel, said it will force hard core users to purchase from the black market which will make it easier for the prosecutors file criminal charges.
Even if the coverage of steroid testing is not department wide, they still consider it as the best alternative in curtailing the abuse of steroids in the law enforcement. Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini said that this measure is a win-win solution. ?There?s a genuine feeling that the image of law enforcement is as important as the job they do, so if this is something that will bring comfort to the public, then it?s good for law enforcement, and it?s good for the public,? said Bocchini.
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