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MLB Players Still Popping Pills for ADHD

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 9, 2009 8:05 PM CST

(Newser) – Major Leaguers are still taking amphetamines for attention deficit disorder despite new rules designed under pressure from Congress, the New York Times reports. In fact, such exemptions grew slightly last season until nearly 8% of players were on ADHD drugs, the AP reports. "This is incredible," said expert Dr. Gary Wadler, who said he "can count on one hand the number of individuals that have ADD."

A baseball labor relations exec dismissed the comparison, saying pro players are different from the general population. But Wadler recommended an independent panel to review drug requests for "a sport that grew up on greenies." Today's report on banned baseball drugs also said there had been 19 positives on 3,486 tests last season—14 for banned stimulants and five for performance-enhancing drugs.

New York Yankees Jason Giambi follows through on his home run in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, June 8, 2008.
New York Yankees Jason Giambi follows through on his home run in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, June 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Yankees Jason Giambi holds the remains of his bat after hitting a single in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, June 22, 2008.
New York Yankees Jason Giambi holds the remains of his bat after hitting a single in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, June 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds waits before his at-bat in the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, in this Sept. 15, 2007 file photo, in San Diego.
San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds waits before his at-bat in the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, in this Sept. 15, 2007 file photo, in San Diego.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds is seen in the dugout before their baseball game against the Florida Marlins in San Francisco, Friday, July 27, 2007.
San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds is seen in the dugout before their baseball game against the Florida Marlins in San Francisco, Friday, July 27, 2007.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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