Facilitators and barriers in preventing doping among recreational athletes: A qualitative interview study among police officers

Abstract

BackgroundDoping is a societal problem associated with health problems, violence, and other crimes, especially when combined with alcohol and drugs. Elite, as well as recreational athletes who exercise in gyms may use doping to enhance their performance and/or improve their appearance. According to Swedish law, manufacturing, selling, supplying, possessing, and using anabolic androgenic steroids and growth hormones is forbidden. Exceptions apply if these substances are used for medical purposes and prescribed by doctors. As doping is illegal, the police authority is vital in counteracting doping.AimWe aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to effective doping prevention at gyms by examining police officers' views on doping as a societal problem, their experiences of doping prevention efforts, and their perceptions on what enables or hinders doping prevention.MethodsInterviews with police officers (n = 15) were conducted from December 2021 to May 2022. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A targeted content analysis of the material was performed.ResultsFacilitators for effective doping prevention involving the police included the recognition of doping as a societal problem; mobilization of key actors; motivated police management and officers; adequate resource allocation; collaboration between the police, gyms, and other relevant authorities; and skills development for police and other professions. Barriers to effective doping prevention included a lack of knowledge about doping, time-consuming processes around the detection and collection of evidence in doping offenses, and competing tasks for police officers.ConclusionDoping prevention should become more efficient by taking advantage of existing facilitators and removing remaining barriers. This study could guide recommendations linked to the police organization and the surrounding society regarding doping prevention.

Police officers’ perspective on doping and prevention among recreational athletes: a cross-sectional study

“…Results showed that most respondents consider doping a societal problem and that doping occurs in combination with several other crimes, such as violence, illicit drug use, and drug dealing. These results are supported by a recent interview study with police officers in Sweden ( 34 ). Almost all respondents also believe it to be their duty to prevent doping but lack proper prerequisites to do so, emphasizing the opinion that there is a lack of knowledge in the police organization.…”

“…Collaboration agreements between gyms and the police, including enabling police officers to exercise undercover in the training premise to detect doping-related crimes, could also, according to the respondents, constitute facilitating factors. This view was previously highlighted in interviews with Swedish police officers ( 34 ). Several respondents also highlighted the importance of more gyms working actively against doping, preferably in line with the 100% PHT doping prevention method, which aligns with suggestions of field experts ( 10 ).…”

“…Additionally, respondents believe that managers in the police organization need to be better informed about doping to prioritize preventive activities. As previous implementation research supports the idea that sufficient knowledge is crucial for effective implementation ( 32 , 33 ), the strengthening of basic education for police officers and further training within the police organization could abolish the barrier of ignorance ( 34 ).…”

“…Another barrier reported by respondents was the lack of economic and personnel resources to prevent doping. This barrier was previously highlighted in a study among key European actors in recreational sports (39), general implementation research (32), and a recent Swedish interview study among police officers (34). Thus, additional resources appear to be needed to increase the effectiveness of doping prevention.…”

“…The e-mail also contained a link to the web survey (Questback), which the participants could complete after providing informed consent to participate. The survey was based on previous prevention and implementation research (32)(33)(34), and it was developed by STADs' researchers in consultation with selected police officers and doping prevention coordinators. The questions covered participants' backgrounds, doping as a societal problem, availability of doping substances, and police's doping prevention activities, along with related barriers and possibilities.…”