Legal Drug Deaths

Re “Young Athletes’ Use of Stimulant Stirs Alarm,” Aug. 22: I think that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should consider imposing a ban on over-the-counter sales of supplements that contain ephedrine--especially since it was found that 80 deaths or more were linked to products containing that drug. That’s tragic.

If the FDA requires that stimulants containing ephedrine be prescribed by medical doctors, then it could mean saving the lives of many young athletes. Since the athletes would not have ready access to the harmful stimulants, this might motivate them to find more healthful means--such as eating the right foods--for building up their strength.

Barbara Hobbs

Gardena