First, there were rumors and allegations that Muammar Gaddafi's troops had been issued Viagra to enable them to commit acts of sexual violence as a weapon of warfare. It's an unconfirmed but horrible possibility that doesn't seem that far-fetched. Now, another Viagra-related atrocity has made headlines, one that is sadly corroborated by an Irish court. The Belfast Telegraph and Donegal Daily report that an 88-year-old grandfather took Viagra in order to sexually assault five of his grandkids. A judge rejected the man's appeal that his 15-year sentence was too severe.
The crimes took place between July 1993 and September 2009, so the perpetrator, unlike some have attempted, can't blame Viagra for his wrongdoing - it didn't become available until 1998. But it's tragic that a drug developed to facilitate sexual relationships between consenting adults could be used for such abhorrent purposes.
Is it possible Viagra could become a controlled substance due to the actions of a few sick individuals? In the wake of this crime, some are calling for doctors to be more vigilant about prescribing the medication and checking that the user has a valid need for the drug and won't be abusing it. But it's hard to see how this could be enforced, and it would put burdens on both doctors and patients. However, it might make sense to add an extra penalty for sexual crimes if an erectile dysfunction drug is used in committing the act.
