Summary: Substance Abuse In Baseball

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With players, franchises, and fans looking the other way when it comes to PEDs it is easy to see why more is not being done to counter the issue. But what about the person who is the judge of all substance abuse cases in the MLB? The recently retired Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig, was the previous enforcer of the MLB’s drug policy. The problem with the commissioner determining policy is that he collects paychecks from franchise owners, who obviously influence him to create and enforce policy in their favor. With this influence from the owners the former commissioner was either so naive, or so corrupt, that he did not believe there was a serious issue with PEDs in baseball. Bud Selig said in 2010, “The use of steroids and amphetamines …show more content…

The current discipline is not enough to quell the steroid problem in the MLB; especially since the MLB’s policy is different compared to other pro sports without PED problems. The National Hockey League (NHL), instituted their performance enhancing drug policy in 2005, the last major pro sport to do so. Yet, the NHL took a strong stance right away. The first positive leads to a 20 game suspension, or about ¼ the season. The next positive results in a 60 game suspension, or about ¾ of a season, and similar to the MLB, a third positive leads to a lifetime ban (NHL). The distinguishing factor between the two policies is that in the NHL if you test positive, you automatically are enrolled into their League Substance Abuse/Behavioral Health Program for evaluation, education and possible treatment (NHL). The NHL created this program to help avoid second time offenders. By educating the athletes on the effects of drugs, and treating addiction when necessary, the players are graced with an expansive support network and receive substantial help. The National Basketball Association (NBA), has a similar support network and substance abuse program for those caught using PEDs. Any player that enters the program must accept anything ordered by the medical director. If the NBA player does not comply with the program requirements it can lead to dismissal from the NBA, even if it was the player’s first positive test (NBA). By forcing the players to be educated about the health effects, they come to understand that consequences outweigh the advantages. The MLB needs to introduce a PED prevention program, which rookies are required to attend, and where players would learn about the adverse effects of drug use. Maybe then, the amount of positive tests could diminish to the levels seen in the NHL and NBA. Since the NHL’s policy was established in 2005 only 3 players have been caught using PEDs

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