Roger-that. I will try to comport myself better when leaving posts on this site. It will be tough, but I will try not insult those that deserve it. 

dimas wrote on Jun 13^th, 2004 at 2:51pm:


Nice cheap shot, but I think that the only thing bothering Blackjack is "roid-info's" attempt to somehow justify steroid use by his lengthy dissertation on the history of steroids.  The fact remains that injecting steroids (unless under the direct supervision of a doctor) is a disqualifying event, end of story.  Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I must seriously question the judgement of a person that injects something into his body (without a doctor's prescription) for whatever reason.  It's not justifiable in my eyes, no matter how safe you perceive or rationalize it to be.    

dimas wrote on Jun 13^th, 2004 at 2:51pm:


Two words:  Lyle Alzedo.

But you're probably right........I'm sure that all of his steroid use didn't contribute to his horrible death. 

dimas wrote on Jun 13^th, 2004 at 2:51pm:


Maybe it's just me.....but this sounds an awful lot like you just contradicted yourself......all in one sentence. 

Bottom line.....I don't think you're going to find any departments out there that are willing to hire a guy that admitted to injecting a substance into his body to help him achieve the "ultimate body."  Let us know if you do.

Regards,
Kona

I appreciate Mr. Roid info clearing up the Lyle Alzedo myth regarding his steroid use and how it killed him.  Even if it really did kill him and that is a big "IF" it is still only one person who died from it compared to the thousands that die from alcohol use per year, hundreds from aspirin use, and other hundreds from OTC medications that we can freely drug ourselves with legally.   

Also if steroids are indeed so bad then why is it that people can go to these "new age" rejuvenation clinics and LEGALLY be prescribed steroids, HGH and other beauty enhancement drugs with the sole purpose of improving their appearance?  Obviously our Gov't doesn't think they are that deadly if they front the bill for HIV-AIDS patients to undergo HGH and steroid therapy at our expense in the sum of 20,000 t0 30,000 dollars every couple of months.

I also would like to clear up that I in no way contradict myself and you should read the post more thouroghly before assuming anything.  1.  I state I cannot condone (overlook)his dishonesty, but that I also cannot blame him for doing it.   2.  Before you go off and accuse me of being a roid head or prosteroid use let me elaborate on my anti-steroid stance.

In the department I was previously employed in there were two officers who were dismissed for being busted bringing anabolic steroids across the border.  They were good officers and it was a shame to see them throw away their careers over this.  However, why did they begin using steroids in the first place is more of a problem.   

Many of us in the department felt it had something to do with an incident they were involved in with a person in their custody who by all means literally threw them around like rag dolls.  It appeared as if the incident took away their confidence in their ability to handle a suspect.  Hence they began using steroids to feel more confident about themselves and their abilities to control someone without the use of deadly force.

Ultimately they got caught bringing it across and lost their jobs.  I was the unfortunate one on duty when a customs investigator called the department to inform us that they had been arrested.  Ironically all they got was a ticket from Customs and were let go a few hours later.  Our department, however, has a 0 tolerance stance on drug use and sent them packing.

So in conclusion, no I am not pro steroid and am vehemently against all drug use to include alcohol.  Can I sympathize with steroid users?  perhaps to a degree and perhaps more if I had been beat down while on duty, but those who enforce the law are no better than criminals if they look away or disregard the law from time to time.  As for Mr. Roid Info, I believe he was merely attempting to educate people on this board regarding steroids as it seems many of you are ignorant when it comes to them.

I got in contact with a friend that used to treat me at the sports medicine facility at the University that I played Division I baseball for. This is some of the information that he sent me on the dangers of steroids...

Many young athletes are convinced that the only way to become a champion is by using anabolic steroids. Coaches and others can begin to counteract the attraction of these drugs by helping educate the athletes about the potential harmful consequences of anabolic steroid use.

LIVER DAMAGE 
Nearly all of the anabolic steroids taken by mouth cause abnormal liver function. These abnormalities range from the common, but usually harmless, leakage of enzymes from the damaged liver tissue into the blood to rare, but very serious, liver cancer and liver bleeding.

The appearance of liver enzymes in the blood ordinarily ceases when athletes stop using steroids, but liver cancer and bleeding have caused deaths among a few athletes who have abused anabolic steroids.

RISK OF HEART DISEASE 
Many athletes who abuse anabolic steroids have high blood pressure (hypertension). They also have decreased amounts of HDL-cholesterol, the so-called "good cholesterol," that helps the body avoid the buildup of fat in the walls of the arteries. Both high blood pressure and low HDL-cholesterol increase the chance of having serious heart disease at a relatively early age.

SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS 
Many male athletes who take large doses of anabolic steroids have shrunken testicles. They also have such poor sperm production that virtually all of them who have used steroids for six months or more are sterile. Sperm count may not return to normal for seven months or more after discontinuing steroid use.

In many men, steroid abuse leads to a feminizing growth of the nipples that can only be corrected with surgery. In most women, on the other hand, steroid abuse causes shrinkage of the breasts to more masculine proportions.

Other masculinizing effects of anabolic steriod use by females are very common, including the growth of facial hair, thinning of head hair and possible baldness, deepening of the voice, irregularity or absence of the menstrual cycle, enlargement of the clitoris, and shrinking of the uterus.

Baldness, growth of facial hair, enlargement of the clitoris, and deepening of the voice usually cannot be reversed, even when steroids are no longer used ­ these are permanent changes.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS 
Among the more commonly reported psychological effects of steroid abuse are increases or decreases in sex drive, increased aggressive behavior, mood elevation or depression, and "psychological addiction" to the drugs.

More rare are schizophrenia and psychotic behavior patterns. For example, steriod abusers have been known to head-butt the windshields out of cars or to purposely crash their cars into trees.

Even more frightening are claims by several athletes charged with murder that they committed then under a "steroid rage."

EFFECTS ON GROWTH 
The long bones of young people ­ up to 18 years and sometimes older ­ are still growing. If young athletes abuse anabolic steroids, the growth plates of those bones may close earlier than usual. This diminishes the height they could have reached as adults had they not taken steroids.

As you can see steroids are far from healthy, but that is not, and never was my point. As I stated in my previous posts, I do not have to be an expert to know that steroids will ruin all chances of being an LE officer.



As for the comment made by Dimas... I was the popular jock in highschool and college. My experience with steroids was, the little 5'5" nerd weakilngs, like yourself, that got sick of being shoved in lockers, started taking steroids after highschool, so that they would never be picked on again....So, so, sad

dimas wrote on Jun 15^th, 2004 at 5:44am:


Jesus, what does a guy have to do to get it through your thick skull that I'm not "demonizing" steroids?  These drugs have a place in our world treating ailments when properly prescribed by a Doctor.  The person I'm slamming is the idiot that injects steroids on his own, without a Doctor's prescription (read: illegally) in order to look like a side of beef.  Can you see the difference between the two?  Do you require further explanation?

dimas wrote on Jun 15^th, 2004 at 5:44am:


Oh bravo Dimas, you really showed me!  Like I said before, I don't have a problem with steroid use as long as it is under the supervision of a licensed physician, and not some bonehead injecting himself to bulk up.  

dimas wrote on Jun 15^th, 2004 at 5:44am:


Oh by all means, please explain to all of us ignorant people what you would call 2 police officers that tried to bring an illegal drug across an international border, and got busted by the U.S. Customs Service?  Oh, that's right......you called them good cops, I forgot.  I feel so stupid and ignorant......sorry I even questioned it.

dimas wrote on Jun 15^th, 2004 at 5:44am:


Fair enough.  So what is your answer to this problem, if training isn't the answer?  Steroids for all my brothers in blue!!  You don't have an answer.  But please, go ahead and thrill me with your acumen.


dimas wrote on Jun 15^th, 2004 at 5:44am:


No, actually I think I read and understood your post without any problem.  The tone of your entire post seems to rationalize the use of steroids without being under a Doctor's care.  You rationalize the use of steroids by your fellow officers because they got "thrown around" by a big strong guy, and they need the competitive edge.  You rationalize 2 police officers crossing an international border with an illegal drug, and then call me ignorant.  In fact, you rationalize and make excuses throughout your entire post.   On the one hand you state the above quoted text, and in the same breath you make excuses for your fellow drug using, law breaking officers.  Sorry, but to me this seems very contradictory.  

Kona

Kona and BJ, I have defintely enjoyed our exchange on this board and am going to offer you both a bit of advice, before taking a stance on a subject and offering a public opinion, take the time to educate yourself a bit about what you are talking about.  I still get a kick out of the "mind controlling effects of steroids" which Bj was foolish enough to post.   

I can only imagine someone injecting themselves with a steroid and then being overcome by the uncontrollable urge to smash their heads through a window or drive directly into a tree.  I am sure the psychiatric community would love to find out about this mind controlling drug.
Thanks BJ, you bring a smile to my face everytime I remember it.


Kona wrote on Jun 15^th, 2004 at 7:58am:


Kona, I believe that I should explain something to you regarding how steroids are obtained in Mexico.  They are obtained by first going to a LICENSED PHYSICIAN, which in turn provides the person with a prescription which they then take to a LICENSED PHARMACY and purchase the drug.  Obviuosly you did not know this therefore you can now take the foot out of your mouth.

Kona wrote on Jun 15^th, 2004 at 7:58am:


Sorry Kona, but they were indeed very good officers, they made a stupid mistake.  They were not out using recreational drugs (infact they did not even drink any alcoholic beverages), they were not out planting evidence, extorting sexual favors, falsifying reports, taking bribes or a pick of other bad habits that officers have across the nation.  For the record only the driver of the vehicle got a ticket for the possesion of the steroids.  They were not even handcuffed or booked.   

Kona wrote on Jun 15^th, 2004 at 7:58am:


Well Kona, for the record if you read above then you would realize that they indeed were under a doctors care as they had to go to a doctor to get the prescription DOCTOR, MD, Licensed Physician, NOT at DRUG DEALER.   

Secondly, yes they did break the law, but they only got a TICKET, perhaps we should fire all officers who receive TICKETS for "breaking the law".  Now had they been Drunk and crashed into a parked car, light post or another vehicle, they would have been classified as having a "problem" and received counseling, not lost their jobs.   


Thirdly, I am not excusing their use of steroids, I was merely sympathizing with them as I can imagine how much a person's confidence in his/her abilities will suffer if unable to hold their ground.  Until you actually become an LE officer and realize how difficult and near impossible it is to overcome a larger non-compliant person, you will never understand what these officers went through.  I merely find it ignorant  to state your position on something you know nothing about.  However, this is a public board and people can post as they please, but your credibility is the one that suffers in the end.

Lastly, I apologize to all those that have read these long exchanges between us unless ofcourse you learned something and would like to thank Mr. Roid info for taking the time to attempt and educate some people with FACTUAL information, not fairy tales about mind controlling hormones

LOL, BJ, you need to control your temper because you are now writing nothing but nonsense and are making yourself look dumb.   It appears that you did not follow any of my advice and have once again made yourself look foolish.

Anyone who has a grasp of the English language and has read any of my posts can clearly discern that I do not CONDONE any drug use and even include alcohol in this.  I do uphold the law and merely state that I sympathize with the officers, not that their behavior was correct.

To answer your questions, Yes, I am in Law Enforcement and have been for a few years.  As far as my medical training I am also a Paramedic and I studied Kinesiology as a Major, prior to switching to a Pre-Law Major and graduating from college.   I also have never felt the need to have to use any anabolic substance as I was fortunate enough to have decent genetics.   

Keep on the subject at hand instead of making things up.  Your post is full of foolish analogies and deductions that have nothing to do with the subject.  As far as the supposed expert whom you asked for information, it appears that he is 1.  Very Stupid or 2. Ficticious and you made him up to attempt to make yourself look good.  Either way your post and the information contained in it are WAY off track and laughable.

Lastly, your post is very immature, your attacks are unfounded, unnecessary and display your obvious inability to cope with the fact that you made yourself look stupid via your posts and thus have directed your frustration toward MR. Roid and myself.
I believe this is where you and Kona differ in that he manages to maintain his maturity when writing a reply.

I Finally figured it out, BJ is a comedian!!

DIMAS, I will tell you from experience it is useless trying to maintain a logical conversation with BJ since his reading comprehension skills are non existent. I guess hooked on phonics DIDN'T work for him. I would venture to guess that BJ did not pass his psychological for LE. And that’s why he is so angry and combative besides the fact you can tell he’s a young kid without life experience.