GET WITH THE PROGRAM

On Monday, Aug. 12, the Tribune referred to discussions between the owners
and baseball players about "recreational drugs, such as cocaine."

Cocaine is not merely a recreational drug. It is an illegal drug that is
highly addictive. Cocaine use can result in seizures, cardiac arrest,
respiratory arrest or stroke. Cocaine addiction saps financial resources,
destroys relationships and renders professional athletes unable to compete.

The death of Len Bias and the ongoing legal troubles of Darryl Strawberry
serve as stark reminders that it is in the best interest of ballplayers,
owners and fans to take a strong stand against cocaine use.

One manifestation of that stand is random drug testing, which has become
the norm in other professional sports.