According to a report released by the New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow, policemen in New Jersey will soon be subjected to random drug testing for steroids in an attempt to crackdown on anabolic steroid abuse within the law enforcement system.

The report made by the Attorney General’s summarizes a six-month investigation that was triggered after a series of lawsuits claiming excessive force by policemen abusing steroids were filed against New Jersey Police.

The report concluded that Dr. Joseph Colao, who passed away recently, may have been illegally prescribing steroids to 248 police and firefighters in New Jersey.

The report also recommended that police departments implement random drug testing for officers that can detect steroid abuse.

The recommendations were made at a time when the New Jersey legislature is debating numerous bills that are intended to eliminate steroid use within the police forces. If any of these bills pass into law, New Jersey is likely to become the first state to ever pass a law aimed at curbing steroid use by police.

According to Dow, “It is important that we strengthen oversight, regulation and investigation in order to discourage the improper use of steroids throughout New Jersey's law enforcement community and ensure the public's confidence”.