[ant1937]

If Sherry is only chargedwith using, then she most liklely won't be in much trouble. I don't know Oklahoma law. That seems like nothing more than a misdemeanor and hand slap. However, her job as a firefighter might cause some additional issues.

I think she'll be ok legally. I doubt we'll ever see her that size again. She'll probably have to stop using. Then again….look at some ofthe men arrested. Right back to it. Not firefighters though.

[GWHH]

Lisa Beckels & Sherry Smith Armwrestling-the ending good

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UDHD8ZKF

[cpbell0033944]

Well well, I don't log in for a while through being busy and the proverbial has hit the fan.  Before I really get going on writing my essay (LOL), I'd like to remind everyone that I'm not from the US, so don't expect me to comment of professional baseball plyers etc., because I'm generally disinterested in American sports.  My sporting preferences are very European. ;D ::)

Having said that, I've been expecting this for a while.  If you have that many BBers in a country that bans steroids other than for strict medical conditions, then, of course this is likely to happen.  With all due respect to Trudy Ireland, I'd go as far to suggest that someone who is familiar with the effects of steroids and HGH on FBBers is likely to have suspected that she used them.  I normally don't say that sort of thing directly, but it seems to me that the time for pussyfooting around is over.  All of us are, I think, more sympathetic towards these people than the average person, because, as supporters of and fans of FBBers we are, to a degree, endorsing their use of illegal substances.  Some of you won't like me for saying that, but, if we really took the moral high ground on this, we'd only discuss Natural athletes.  It all boils down to this fact – whether we or they think this particular law is unjust, unenforceable or just plain silly, they have still broken the law and deserve to suffer the consequences.

As for Sherry Smith, though her probable offence was lighter than some of the others in this case, I feel she actually has let herself and her community down.  Why?  Well, as a firefighter, she served her community and would have had a great amount of respect from the people in that community for putting her life on the line to protect them in their hour of need.  In addition, she would have been a role-model, especially for the young people in her town, and being a role-model brings with it a degree of responsibility to show proper behaviour and to set a good example.  In breaking the law, she has clearly failed in this.

On a broader level, I think the BBing community must stop doing its ostrich impression.  They cannot continue to put their fingers in their ears, chant "lalalalala" and hope the drug problem is going to disappear.  They need to address it.  If the countrys lawmakers won't revoke the relevant laws, then the IFBB and NPC must start taking the issue seriously.  They need to make it clear that they will drug-test competitors and that positive tests will result in long bans from sanctioned events.  I perhaps sound simplistic and naive, but what other option do they have?  Keep ignoring it and see other top competitors appearing in police mugshots (btw, how bad did Sherry look in that mugshot)?  That'll do an already tarnished image no good at all.  They need to overcome their inertia and act soon.

[Tonus]

I think that the situation here is due in a very large part to the way that steroids entered the consciousness of the general public.  In 1984 or 1988, Canada's Ben Johnson flew past the USA's Carl Lewis and into the Olympic record books in the 100 Meter Dash.  A day or so later, he was disqualified when he was found to have tested positive for steroids.  Johnson and Lewis were high-profile competitors and Lewis was a media darling in the USA, and thus it was easy to tar Johnson as a cheater and demonize steroids.  Lewis was cast as the squeaky-clean all-American athlete who'd been robbed of his chance to celebrate in front of the world.

A few years later most steroids were classified on the level of drugs like heroin and cocaine, thus making possession and use a crime.  This in spite of protestations from numerous groups, including the FDA, since there had not been sufficient testing to determine the dangers of steroid use.  This has led to a steady crusade against PEDs of pretty much any stripe (aside from perhaps NO2 and Creatine, which have somehow escaped public anger).  The lack of knowledge, understanding or education on both the benefits and risks of PED use here is staggering, and keeps there from being a beneficial dialogue on the issue.  We're very much at the "witch hunt" stage, and will be for some time.

PS- depending on local laws, it's possible (indeed, I would bet that it's likely) that a firefighter who is convicted of a crime would lose his or her job.  It's possible that the union contract would stipulate that even an arrest for drug use, possession, or sale could lead to the loss of her job.  Many such departments are extremely wary of their public reputation and will go to lengths to protect it.  For example, my brother-in-law drives a bus for the local MTA.  If he were to get a traffic ticket while off-duty, he is at a considerable risk of losing his job.  The perception of public safety is foremost in the minds of officials at many of these jobs.

[cpbell0033944]

Tonus – you make some interesting points.  I agree with you about your Ben Johnson comments.  Here in Britain, the feeling was more that his "cheating" had robbed Linford Christie of a silver medal.  Of course, at the very end of his career, he too was banned for using PEDs, which he still vigorously denies.  In addition, British sports fans are still divided on the issue of Dwain Chambers, who was caught-up in thae whole BALCO situation.

Interesting information about Sherry Smith and her firefighting job.  In other words, she has potentially risked even more than I thought?

Just a note with respect to the science of steroids – I recently complete research in the laboratory of a muscle physiologist.  One day, the topic of conversation turned to steroids, and he assured me that the reseaerch literature (proper, peer-reviwed work by well-respected researchers at top research establishments) showed that steroids when overused do cause potentially severe liver and heart damage.  So, even if there is still doubt amongst politicians, BBers and the general population, there seems little doubt amongst those who research this sort of thing.

[fasola]

Well guys, I took my timer to read all and think my response. I think each one of you made some good points, and as a fact might as well all be right. The thing is, that there is a lot of ignorance around PED in general, and nobody actually takes the time to do a more complete research.
I hear a lot of people talking about sterpoids, but the ones that seem to be the most qualified to talk, are the ones that I wouldn't say deffend, but have a softer view of the subject.
I would recomend to you guys to see a movie called BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER, and see, in my opinion, a more neutral take on the subject.

And finally, fore what know, any drug, legal or not, overused or misused is a potential hazzard to ones life.

[Tonus]

Interesting information about Sherry Smith and her firefighting job.  In other words, she has potentially risked even more than I thought?

Yep.  As I said, it depends on local laws or union contracts, but I would be more surprised to hear that she was allowed back.  This is, of course, assuming that she is convicted or agrees to a plea deal with prosecutors.

Just a note with respect to the science of steroids – I recently complete research in the laboratory of a muscle physiologist.  One day, the topic of conversation turned to steroids, and he assured me that the reseaerch literature (proper, peer-reviwed work by well-respected researchers at top research establishments) showed that steroids when overused do cause potentially severe liver and heart damage.  So, even if there is still doubt amongst politicians, BBers and the general population, there seems little doubt amongst those who research this sort of thing.

I admit to hearing mostly bits and pieces and being too poorly informed.  There are apparently very few studies, particularly of the long-term effects of steroid use.  But some side effects are already known, or there is strong evidence for them.  Damage to the liver can occur when taking steroids orally (in pill form) because under those circumstances it is the liver that helps disseminate the steroid into the bloodstream.  This is, as I understand it, why steroids are primarily injected or rubbed on the skin– the damage to the liver can be quite severe, up to and including liver failure.  I don't recall if I'd heard of potential dangers to the heart.  I know that steroids can increase the levels of bad cholesterol while decreasing the levels of good cholesterol.  While this may seem like a non-issue to a bodybuilder, it is not– they can still suffer from arterial blockage and the risks that come with it.

There are some other effects, like acne, that apparently are common when large amounts of steroids are taken.  I was surprised to learn that the claims of "roid rage," or heightened aggression, may not be linked directly to steroids.  Unless I am mistaken, there are no studies making a clear link.  It could very well be that roid rage is simply a result of the types of personalities that are drawn to use PEDs (highly aggressive and competitive types).  Put 40 pounds of muscle on an otherwise cautious guy, and he may begin to feel as if he need not be so cautious.  It's also a great excuse for someone to use to cover for violent behavior.  But I would point out that there is also not enough proof against the idea.

The lack of well-publicized research on steroids combines with another factor to make for a very muddled situation– there are many anti-steroid and anti-PED groups that use propaganda and unverified claims to give the impression that steroids are lethal and extremely dangerous (one example being to display lists of people "killed" by steroids; the lists are nearly always full of names whose deaths had nothing to do with steroids, such as NFL player Lyle Alzado).  The problem with this point of view is that there is plenty of evidence that PEDs do exactly what their name implies- they enhance performance.  The sports figures that are constantly being criticized for steroid use are usually the top names in their respective sports, people who have garnered a lot of fame and ridiculous amounts of money.  If you're an 18 or 19 year-old who has a chance to try out for a college sports program with an eye towards a pro career, do you trust the website that tells you that steroids are a dead end, or do you look at Alex Rodriguez, who admitted to steroid use and who is set to make something like $500-750 million before his career ends?

What we need is to push for more studies and publicize them for better or worse.  Also, to point out that there ARE dangers to steroid/PED use, particularly for young men and women.  Third, major sports bodies HAVE to tackle the problem directly and forcefully.  I am afraid that the last one will be the least likely, and so long as athletes can make millions of dollars and sports bodies try to look the other way, the temptation to cheat will be too great for young people.

[Tonus]

PS- sorry if I'm long-winded about this.  I've been fascinated by the subject for several years, and it's aggravating to think that after four or five years of reading everything I can find, there's just so little useful information on the subject, and even fewer people willing to have an open and reasonable discourse about it.  So when I see a good opportunity I unload all over it. 😮

[cpbell0033944]

Don't apologise, tonus – it's interesting to have a discussion with someone such as yourself who obviously takes an interest.  Your comments about the liver are perhaps pertinent, though I would imagine that even injected steroids might do damage, because the liver does filter the blood and would therefore be in direct contact with steroids as they are circulating.  As for the heart, you are correct in saying that the major problem is that of cholesterol; however, the heart does hve steroid receptors, as response to increasing testosterone includes enlargement of the heart's capacity to pump blood to supply growing musculature.  Apparently, (again, according to my old supervisor) there is potential for damage to be caused by "flooding" these receptors with artificial steroid hormones.

If you're interested, Google Sccholar and PubMed are good websites to use to search for primary research publications on almost anything medical or biological; as a private citizen you won't be able to view many full papers without subscription, but you should be able to see the papers abstract which gives an overview of the work carried-out and the resultant findings.

[AlexG]

PS- sorry if I'm long-winded about this.  I've been fascinated by the subject for several years, and it's aggravating to think that after four or five years of reading everything I can find, there's just so little useful information on the subject, and even fewer people willing to have an open and reasonable discourse about it.  So when I see a good opportunity I unload all over it. 😮

Within the context of this thread it's on-topic, so I'll let you live.  😉  8)

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[Author]

Posts