T
The420Guy
Guest
News of Qyntel Woods' citation for marijuana possession last week on top of
the Trail Blazers' continued problems with the drug again have pushed the
issue of marijuana use in the NBA to the surface. There is extensive
suspicion that more than a few NBA players smoke marijuana, and the league
refuses to recognize the problem.
"If they tested for marijuana, there would be no NBA," former player
Richard Dumas said in 1997, a statement that served as the catalyst for a
controversial New York Times article that claimed that many players used
marijuana.
Some players think the NBA's anti-drug policy is nothing more than a public
relations ploy and not much of a deterrent.
"It's a joke, Utah forward Karl Malone said. "We have a drug policy, but we
really don't. It's like doing a job halfway.
"We tell kids to read to achieve and all that, then those same kids turn on
the television and see that one of the guys who was reading to them just
got caught for marijuana."
The league and the players association counter with the report that 12 of
its 430 players (2.8 percent) tested positive for marijuana during training
camp in October 1999. In addition, the only players formally accused of
marijuana possession this season have been on one team: the Blazers.
(Woods, Damon Stoudamire, Rasheed Wallace)
"Looking at the big picture leaguewide, we don't feel there is a perception
that there's a problem of drug use among the players," said Dan Wasserman,
director of communications for the National Basketball Players Association.
"To date, we have not heard any hue and cry that the drug policy is
inadequate or ineffective."
However, critics say the testing is flawed. The players association sent a
letter to its members telling them they would be tested, providing ample
time for anyone to clean up.
"You know when they're going to test," Malone said. "They all but send you
a memo."
The anti-drug policy in the current collective bargaining agreement calls
for veteran players to be tested once during training camp and rookies to
be tested as many as four times during the season. Players also may be
tested if there is "reasonable cause of a player's use, possession and
distribution" of marijuana. Woods could fall under the "reasonable cause"
clause, because he told police he was addicted to marijuana, according to a
police report.
In addition, any player who is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to
the use or possession of marijuana in violation of the law will be required
to enter the league's anti-drug program.
The league cracks down on "hard" drugs such as cocaine, opiates (heroin,
morphine and codeine), amphetamines and PCP. The anti-drug policy
authorizes immediate dismissal from the league of any player who tests
positive, is convicted, pleads guilty or no contest to any crime related to
use or possession of those drugs.
But it's different for marijuana. A player can enter the program many times
and not worry about expulsion from the league. A third violation of the
policy for marijuana results in a five-game suspension.
Whether or not it is actually doing so, whenever players are charged with
marijuana use or possession it creates the perception that the league is
sweeping the issue under the rug.
Cases involving high-profile players such as Allen Iverson (1997), Chris
Webber and Marcus Camby (1998) and Isaiah Rider (1999) reinforced the
perception that marijuana use is widespread in the NBA.
The issue had abated some, until the Blazers' troubles this season. And
with an image-conscious league such as the NBA, bad publicity is a big concern.
"There's no question these incidents are bad for the league," said Portland
center Chris Dudley, the team's union representative. "This needs to be
addressed for the next collective bargaining agreement."
The league probably wouldn't quibble with increased testing. The question
is whether the players union would sign on. That's doubtful, given their
stiff resistance to subjecting their players to any more testing than the
public must endure.
Dudley said he would be willing to consider measures to tighten the
league's anti-drug policy on marijuana, a sentiment echoed by Malone.
"They can test me all they want," Malone said. "I don't have a problem with
it."
Although the league might take up the issue of marijuana use, some say the
issue this season is one that primarily affects the Blazers. And with more
pressing issues (luxury tax, minimum draft age, salary cap) likely to be
addressed in negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement,
marijuana isn't a high priority.
"The only opportunity to make a change in the policy is in the context of
the CBA; when the negotiations start, everything will be on the table,"
Wasserman said. "That would be an appropriate forum for the issue to be
raised."
Pubdate: Sun, 06 Apr 2003
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Webpage:
https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/104954802078360.xml
Copyright: 2003 The Oregonian
Contact: letters@news.oregonian.com
Website: OregonLive.com
the Trail Blazers' continued problems with the drug again have pushed the
issue of marijuana use in the NBA to the surface. There is extensive
suspicion that more than a few NBA players smoke marijuana, and the league
refuses to recognize the problem.
"If they tested for marijuana, there would be no NBA," former player
Richard Dumas said in 1997, a statement that served as the catalyst for a
controversial New York Times article that claimed that many players used
marijuana.
Some players think the NBA's anti-drug policy is nothing more than a public
relations ploy and not much of a deterrent.
"It's a joke, Utah forward Karl Malone said. "We have a drug policy, but we
really don't. It's like doing a job halfway.
"We tell kids to read to achieve and all that, then those same kids turn on
the television and see that one of the guys who was reading to them just
got caught for marijuana."
The league and the players association counter with the report that 12 of
its 430 players (2.8 percent) tested positive for marijuana during training
camp in October 1999. In addition, the only players formally accused of
marijuana possession this season have been on one team: the Blazers.
(Woods, Damon Stoudamire, Rasheed Wallace)
"Looking at the big picture leaguewide, we don't feel there is a perception
that there's a problem of drug use among the players," said Dan Wasserman,
director of communications for the National Basketball Players Association.
"To date, we have not heard any hue and cry that the drug policy is
inadequate or ineffective."
However, critics say the testing is flawed. The players association sent a
letter to its members telling them they would be tested, providing ample
time for anyone to clean up.
"You know when they're going to test," Malone said. "They all but send you
a memo."
The anti-drug policy in the current collective bargaining agreement calls
for veteran players to be tested once during training camp and rookies to
be tested as many as four times during the season. Players also may be
tested if there is "reasonable cause of a player's use, possession and
distribution" of marijuana. Woods could fall under the "reasonable cause"
clause, because he told police he was addicted to marijuana, according to a
police report.
In addition, any player who is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to
the use or possession of marijuana in violation of the law will be required
to enter the league's anti-drug program.
The league cracks down on "hard" drugs such as cocaine, opiates (heroin,
morphine and codeine), amphetamines and PCP. The anti-drug policy
authorizes immediate dismissal from the league of any player who tests
positive, is convicted, pleads guilty or no contest to any crime related to
use or possession of those drugs.
But it's different for marijuana. A player can enter the program many times
and not worry about expulsion from the league. A third violation of the
policy for marijuana results in a five-game suspension.
Whether or not it is actually doing so, whenever players are charged with
marijuana use or possession it creates the perception that the league is
sweeping the issue under the rug.
Cases involving high-profile players such as Allen Iverson (1997), Chris
Webber and Marcus Camby (1998) and Isaiah Rider (1999) reinforced the
perception that marijuana use is widespread in the NBA.
The issue had abated some, until the Blazers' troubles this season. And
with an image-conscious league such as the NBA, bad publicity is a big concern.
"There's no question these incidents are bad for the league," said Portland
center Chris Dudley, the team's union representative. "This needs to be
addressed for the next collective bargaining agreement."
The league probably wouldn't quibble with increased testing. The question
is whether the players union would sign on. That's doubtful, given their
stiff resistance to subjecting their players to any more testing than the
public must endure.
Dudley said he would be willing to consider measures to tighten the
league's anti-drug policy on marijuana, a sentiment echoed by Malone.
"They can test me all they want," Malone said. "I don't have a problem with
it."
Although the league might take up the issue of marijuana use, some say the
issue this season is one that primarily affects the Blazers. And with more
pressing issues (luxury tax, minimum draft age, salary cap) likely to be
addressed in negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement,
marijuana isn't a high priority.
"The only opportunity to make a change in the policy is in the context of
the CBA; when the negotiations start, everything will be on the table,"
Wasserman said. "That would be an appropriate forum for the issue to be
raised."
Pubdate: Sun, 06 Apr 2003
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Webpage:
https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/104954802078360.xml
Copyright: 2003 The Oregonian
Contact: letters@news.oregonian.com
Website: OregonLive.com
