Thank you, I figured that you find this subject intellectual intriguing.   


The illegal or immoral, part came up in the back of my mind, as something of a libertarian example for discussion.  I can recall many yrs back some stories that I came across where it seemed just about every female character was using gear to boost their physiques, but was not without its long term consequences to them, physically, as a result of their usage.


Then you're in good company, Hi-Standard was much the same. 

My bad.  I belive there was a misunderstanding on my part.  In the case of alcohol, I could see using it somehow, but I am adamantly against drugs of any kind (not even that big on prescriptions) so I would say - no, I would not use those in a story.

In general I think you'd want to be guided by what your character would do.  If you are writing for adults, even in a morality play you want the characters to be realistic.

If your character is consumed with concerns of health, strength and endurance, consider:
a) "Would a person like that smoke?" 
b) "Would a person that use a particular kind of drug?"

So generally:

They won't smoke tobacco, unless they are really dumb. 

They won't do drugs that they believe are harmful to the body. 

If they are diabetic they will take their insulin. 

They probably will take a ASA or acetaminophen if they have a headache. 

They might take steroids, because they are thinking about short term benefit, not potential long harm. 

They won't take crack or heroin because those drugs are quickly harmful to the body.  Any short term bliss is quickly outweighed, in their value system, by the damage to the body.

I go along with the "heroes for children and teens should be squeaky clean" principle. 

One could take morality even further:  Superheros should have to earn their powers in some way. 

Having superpowers arbitrarily granted discourages children and teens from the principle that achievements are the rewards for effort.  (In the bodybuilding industry: no pain no gain.)

Buffy TVS is part way towards this.  As a slayer, she is born with the potential, but you frequently see her training to turn that potential into reality.  To me this is more moral than the original 1960s squeaky clean superman, who is super-powered simply by the accidental good fortune of being born Kryptonian.  He didn't do anything to earn his superpowers. 

Same deal with intelligence and money.  Although a lot of the wealth in the world is inherited, if you are trying to promote morality, it is more moral to have your heroes earn for their wealth.  Villains can inherit wealth.

I agree that it would require a lot of thought and a long plot to have a write a morality play describing some character putting in the effort to earn superpowers.

Of course the stories here are seldom morality plays, so this point about earning superpowers doesn't really matter.

Anyway, those are my opinions.

In the old days (pre-1970s), tobacco companies ensured that most heroes in films smoked.  I've even seen characters smoking in submarines in the cheapest old WWII films.  This was part of tobacco marketing.  It drew away from making the character realistic.

I'll say this, there's a lot to be said for the security of a faceless corporation rewarding your inefficiency, working for yourself or your own business... you can be inefficient... sure but you're just fucking yourself.

Anyway. Currently, I've got a story where a girl finds a recreational drug - I suppose it's like viagra squared - that usually just has minor effects to the body makes her get big... initially, she loves it. Somewhat ironically, her roomie gets addicted to the effects, so covertly feeds it to her.

So, somewhat.. grey, ethically.