Elevating Entertainment: A Different Perspective on Steroids 

When it comes to the world of entertainers and their relationship with substances, we find ourselves navigating two distinct realms within popular culture. One of these spheres adheres closely to ethical standards, while the other marches to the beat of a different drum. In the realm of major American sports leagues and federations, there is a stringent commitment to maintaining codes of conduct that unequivocally forbid criminal activities, including the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Recent developments in the NFL, such as concerns about doping drugs and even issues like domestic violence, have further amplified the call for a zero-tolerance stance. The administrators of professional and Olympic sports are committed to rigorous anti-doping campaigns, driven by the expectation society holds for athletes to be exemplars. The NFL commissioner recently stated, "I believe I have a responsibility to society; people have high expectations from the NFL." (Source: NFL Commissioner)

In stark contrast, entertainment products like films, music, and videos operate as largely unregulated cultural commodities. They often revel in challenging traditional social norms by showcasing extreme violence, depicting deviant behaviors, or exploring the consequences of drug use without societal constraints.

How, then, do celebrities who use drugs manage to avoid legal scrutiny? Drug-using entertainers have employed a range of strategies in response to accusations, from outright denials to open acknowledgments of their drug use, sometimes even proudly showcasing their willingness to go to great lengths to enhance their performances. This sort of libertarian approach to pharmacology asserts an artist's right to tap into their creative genius, fueled by any intoxicant of their choice. In this perspective, performers bear no moral responsibility for the content or repercussions of their art.

But what sets apart a specific class of celebrities, those who openly use doping drugs, from public condemnation and legal investigations? Historian Richard Davenport-Hines highlights that a select group of creative individuals manages to evade the condemnation and oppression often directed at the majority of drug users. He notes, "Being 'on drugs' can be portrayed as a depraved indulgence, a dark obsession, an escape for the lost; or as a quest for transcendental experiences and mystical excitement... Many drug users find themselves under scrutiny and ostracized as part of a perceived menacing underclass, but a few, such as rock stars, fashion icons, or poets, seem to enjoy a more lenient, almost aristocratic, status." (Source: Richard Davenport-Hines)

But what explains this phenomenon?

There exists a widespread belief that artists operate in a realm beyond the confines of conventional morality. Audiences do not seek virtue in their performances but rather witness displays of virtuosity that evoke admiration, sometimes reaching a level of ecstatic connection. These uninhibited and shape-shifting artists can transform a passive audience into an adoring, frenzied crowd, which may itself be influenced by the aura of performance-enhancing substances. The awareness of a rock star's indulgence can allow an audience to share in their pleasure or even partake in a vicarious act of rebellion channeled through the artist on stage. It's not difficult to believe that performers, who are generously compensated to traverse the emotional extremes, have naturally gravitated toward some form of intoxication as part of their creative process.

Some musical artists have even explored the notion that drug use could enhance their artistic prowess. The legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis once pondered, "As I listened to that genius night after night, young and naive, not well-educated, I must have wondered, 'Could I play like that if I crossed that line with drugs?'" (Source: Miles Davis) However, expert consensus suggests otherwise. The truth is that illicit substances have often wrought havoc on the lives and careers of many gifted musicians.

In this light, it becomes clear that the world of entertainment, including its fascinating intersection with substances, is a complex tapestry where artistic expression, societal expectations, and individual choices interweave to create a captivating narrative.