Hello,
I am a freelance writer as well as a swimmer. I am doing a piece on recreational athletes' misuse of over the counter medicines / products (sudafed, benadryl, Red Bull, advil, etc) and off label use of prescription drugs (inhalers, ritalin, etc) for performance enhancing purposes. The article will explore the prevalence of this behavior and the health consequences, if any. Being an athlete who has taken the occasional sudafed before a race, I'm not looking to flay anyone,
The question is not whether that makes you/me a drug cheat, but whether in our desire for PRs or records, we are willing to go down a similar path as steroid and EPO users, just not as far.
I would not use anyone's name in the article. If you would prefer to e-mail me privately, my e-mail is laurarob2@comcast.net. I am also interested in anecdotal evidence and your opinions on whether or not such behavior is widespread and/or okay.
Thanks.
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Former Member
Thanks to everyone who has responded to far. To clarify, I have no "premise" for this article. I am investigating what is going on in the world of recreational athletes relating to drug use, a world of which I am a part, and a world in which I have friends who are in every sector of the spectrum on this issue. I judge not at all. I do not think there is only one way to do things. I would be a pretty bad reporter if I did. There are no rules on drug use in the events most of us do, so where each individual draws the line is interesting. That is the story.
So thanks again, and please send any other thoughts you may have.
Thanks to everyone who has responded to far. To clarify, I have no "premise" for this article. I am investigating what is going on in the world of recreational athletes relating to drug use, a world of which I am a part, and a world in which I have friends who are in every sector of the spectrum on this issue. I judge not at all. I do not think there is only one way to do things. I would be a pretty bad reporter if I did. There are no rules on drug use in the events most of us do, so where each individual draws the line is interesting. That is the story.
So thanks again, and please send any other thoughts you may have.
