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The Meaning of "Drug Free"
By Nectar Kirkiris
"Drug free", along with the term, "RAW" is one of the most controversial phrases within powerlifting. Nothing quite seems to stir up debate and passions of lifters quite like this simple two word phrase. However, more often than not, the reason for this controversy has more to do with most people misunderstanding what the true meaning and intent of "drug free" is.
To understand how, "drug free" came into prominence in the powerlifting world requires one to go back in time a few decades. Although drug usage in powerlifting in the form of steroids, diuretics and stimulants had been around for quite sometime, most veterans of the sport will tell you that usage started to get very out of hand during the late 70's and early 80's. This same period also saw an increase in venues being vandalized, officials being threatened and assaulted and an animal mentality among the lifters at many meets. Powerlifting was getting out of control and any notion that is was a sport that could be enjoyed with your family or the general public was quickly fading. This atmosphere helped to foster the drug free movement, which lead to the creation of the ADFPA in the mid 80's. While drug testing began before the existence of the ADFPA, its use was more for political purposes as a way to appease the international community because of US dominance at the world championships. What made the ADFPA unique in powerlifting, and perhaps in any sport, was its belief that it was an organization that promoted a drug free atmosphere based around powerlifting rather than being a powerlifting organization that did drug testing. Although some may argue that this was the start of the fractionalization of the sport in the US, the reality is that the sport was already splitting apart for numerous other reasons as well. If anything the creation of the ADFPA and its rapid growth in popularity brought a sense of stability and growth back to the sport. Now with its name changed to USA Powerlifting and approaching its 20th year of existence, its success and growth is a direct indication of the widespread acceptance of its mission.
History alone does not explain the significance of using the term "drug free" in our mission statement. Although we do a significant amount of drug testing, looking at the suspension list at any given time shows that we clearly are not drug free. Human nature being what it is will most likely ensure that we will never be drug free even though science and technology will eventually enable us to get close. Therefore, why even bother to continue to use the term "drug free" when it in fact appears to be a false statement? To answer this question, requires the topic of powerlifting to be put aside for the moment.
One of the most important documents ever written in the world is the US Declaration of Independence, it is important not only in emphatically declaring that all people have the right to self govern themselves but also in clearly stating what freedoms everyone should be able to enjoy. One of the most important lines in this document is the first sentence in the second paragraph, which states, " We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal". Upon closer inspection, it may appear as though this is a false statement also. Clearly, all men are not created equal. Some are taller than others. Some more intelligent and some are born to be better powerlifters too. However, this simple phrase captures the very essence of what the United States stands for and what it is trying to achieve. Stating that all men are created equal ensures, that our nation will never purposely create laws that oppress minorities, take away freedoms and civil rights or remove our right of self-determination. It in fact is the mission statement of not only the United States but for all of western civilization.
In the same way, the term "drug free" captures what USA Powelifting is about, what we hope to achieve and what the principles and values are that we use to guide us. In a world were moral relativism surrounds us it provides the moral clarity and absolutism for our thought process when difficult decisions need to be made. Life is about choices and everyone is free to make their own. We have chosen this path because we are and forever will be the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association.
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