It seems that there is no way to stop some athletes from trying any chemical if it means a better performance.

And why not? What is there in the form of a deterrent to stop them?

Lucrative incentive clauses in contracts and job competition make it very tempting to seek a way to gain an edge. Being caught, with the possible exception of track and field, is no cause for concern. A fine or suspension, amounting to nothing more than a slap on the wrist, will be the worst an athlete can expect.

Of course, there is always another chance. After your punishment you are obligated to display remorse and insist that it will never happen again.

But let?s be candid. The sporting public doesn't care. Too many athletes caught too many times have left the sports fan interested only if their favorite athlete will miss any playing time.

There is no longer a stigma attached to something that occurs far too frequently. We have become numb.

Besides, most drugs that enhance performances are not technically illegal. A prescription is all you need. Rather, it has always been a moral and ethics issue.

So what can we do?

How about making it available to all athletes! Distribute it for free. Can you imagine the benefits!

One hundred home runs in a season in professional baseball will be the norm. Faster, larger players in the NFL and NHL will bring a physical impact to their respective games that will make today's injuries look like a skin rash. A par 5 hole in golf will become a three in no time.

Records in all sports will be smashed on a continuing basis. The fans will not be able to get enough. Revenue will soar for team owners. The press will fill columns with the exploits of our new heroes. A sporting renaissance will emerge that has not been seen since the early part of the last century.

Is there a downside? Of course not! A player's career will undoubtedly be shortened, but this will lead to more employment opportunities in professional sports. Besides, they will be making billions of dollars during their stint. They will probably make more through pharmaceutical endorsements than actual salary. We will see athletes in the prime of their careers; no old veterans will survive. And, with the help of science, the sky is the limit! After all, the athlete's health or welfare is not the concern here, right? Not living a long and productive life after sports is not relative to the issue. Performance is what we are after. Why else would we continue to foster a tolerant and cavalier attitude about drugs and avoid getting tough?

So, let's add a wing on to all the sporting Halls of Fame. They are going to need it. And while we are at it, we should shorten the waiting period for induction. My guess is that if we don't, a lot of inductions may be done posthumously.