Mar 17, 2009 11:02 am US/Eastern
Nine BSO Workers Cleared In Steroid Investigation
In Total 16 BSO Employees Were Investigated
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
Nine Broward Sheriff's Office employees are back on the job after testing negative for steroids.
Late last month 15 deputies and a civilian employee were removed from their normal duty after allegations surfaced that they may have been using steroids illegally. Broward Sheriff's spokesman Jim Leljedal said the remaining seven who were tested remain on leave pending the outcome of their investigation.
"If they don't have prescriptions, if they're not supposed to be taking steroids, and they are, then they would be in violation of our very strict drug policy," said Leljedal when word of the investigation became public on February 25th.
BSO's policy states: "the use of steroids without a prescription and the use of masking agents is considered a violation of policy and applicable state and/or federal law."
The policy also says "that steroids may only be administered to employees through a legitimate physician/patient relationship and prescription."
Leljedal would not release any specific information about the employees, such as who they are, how long they've worked for the agency or whether they work together. Leljedal said BSO is proactive about deputies and their use of steroids.
"(Steroids) can cause some problems in the person's mental state and this is one big reason why people should not be taking them unless they are under a doctor's care," he said.
A similar case occurred in 2005 when federal agents raided a Deerfield Beach pharmacy, called PowerMedica. BSO placed 8 deputies on desk duty after learning the deputies were using steroids. The deputies were cleared of wrongdoing after BSO learned they each had a valid prescription for the steroids.
CBS4's Carey Codd contributed to this report
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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