DUI WATCH : Standout Play

About 1.8 million people were arrested for drunk driving in the United States last year, and some of the most publicized cases involved professional athletes.

Last week, in an effort to curb substance abuse in the National Football League--and to join the nationwide, grass-roots campaign against drunk driving--NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue toughened league policy.

Any player convicted, even for the first time, of violating a state’s drug or alcohol laws can be suspended four days without pay. In the past, the NFL suspended players only after a second violation.

The league’s new action is welcome. Although it won’t keep arrested players out of the spotlight, it will add muscle to the league’s long-standing rhetoric about the evils of substance abuse.

At times there seemed to be little more than rhetoric.

The football league has been plagued by persistent reports of steroid use, not to mention cocaine and alcohol abuse. Cracking down on driving under the influence does not erase the NFL’s past shortcomings, but it does send an important message.

As in the past, the commissioner will personally review all alcohol and drug convictions.

The severity of a penalty will depend on several factors, including whether the player is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor; whether the player’s conduct caused injury to others, and whether the player has a history of drug- or alcohol-related misconduct. A hearing will be held before any penalty is imposed.

DUI is irresponsible, dangerous and illegal. Period.