According to Associated Press New York Police Department will soon begin random testing of its officers for steroid abuse. Allegations about criminal ring supplying the drug to police officers is what started the investigation within the department.

The New York Post reported that the decision to test for anabolic steroids doesn’t reflect a concern about widespread abuse at the nation’s largest police department. They are only trying to point out that using steroids without a prescription is illegal. Last week, the NYPD issued a lengthy memo reminding officers that anabolic steroids are a controlled substance that can cause “aggressive, anti-social or inappropriate behavior,” and that bodybuilding “is not a legitimate medical use.”

“Since the NYPD already tests for narcotics, it “only makes sense to include steroids,” Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said in his statement for one of the local News agencies.

The urine testing should start in July and according to news reports it’s expected to cost about $1 million a year. At the moment officers are being tested randomly for heroin, cocaine, marijuana and other illegal drugs using hair samples.

Departments drug testing policy has been re-examined last year after several police officers were linked to the investigation of a Brooklyn pharmacy suspected of peddling millions of dollars of steroids and human growth hormone.

In their seized records police found that their clientele included 27 NYPD officers who worked out at the same gym.
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