Tighten penalties

In regard to the current drug policy in Major League Baseball, I recommend some changes be made – changes I believe will help baseball control the steroid issues.

The drug-testing policy needs to implement harsher punishments to discourage steroid use, including a two-year ban for a first offense and a lifetime ban for a second offense, an increase to the number of times a player is tested throughout the year, and fines when players test positive.

Second, MLB has to increase its ability to investigate allegations regarding players’ use of performance-enhancers.

Third, all baseball clubs must have clear, written and well-publicized policies for reporting information relating to allegations of steroid violations.

Finally, there needs to be a more comprehensive and effective program of education for players and others about the serious health risks associated with steroids.

Major League Baseball has taken several excellent strides in amending its drug policy to get performance enhancing drugs out of professional baseball, but it still has a ways to go.

Kate Bostwick

Pullman