Posted By:
Gilbert MainesPASJD: Some feel that drug testing is invasive. I agree with this assessment.
I believe that it is baseball's fault that they do not consistently require their personnel behave in accordance with existing laws. Illegal gambling should not be ok, and there should be a system in place to diagnose that behavior.
Baseball focuses on some issues and ignores others. Steroids is one example of an issue that is of current importance to MLB. And they are addressing that concern. Drug addiction diagnosis and treatment is similarly under present procedural development by baseball.
Where the illegal activity includes the necessity of treatment for the individual involved, that treatment should be manditory. If progress is not noted, then the employee should undergo full time treatment until he can return to work.
Throughout baseball history, alcoholism has been tolerated. But alcoholism is legal.
I think that a prolonged concerted thrust which adresses illegal activities of baseball personnel is needed. Any union which takes a stance against insuring legal behavior is not welcome in this country IMO. And I believe that any union who takes a stance against the well being of its dues paying members is unique in the USA.