cannabisnews.com: Report: NBA Suspends Drug Testing





Report: NBA Suspends Drug Testing
Posted by FoM on October 20, 1999 at 06:42:34 PT
By The Associated Press
Source: New York Times
The NBA's new drug testing program was temporarily suspended last week after union leaders complained of confidentiality leaks in the first weeks of the program, The New York Times reported today. 
The players' association claimed a major component of the drug testing agreement was compromised because an unnamed reporter learned about six players had tested positive for marijuana during the first week of testing earlier this month, the Times said. NBA officials agreed to cease testing late last week, and on Tuesday met with Billy Hunter, executive director of the players' association, and other union leaders. During the meeting they agreed to resume testing, but did not disclose when. Two informed sources told the newspaper last week that about six of 120 players had tested positive for marijuana. Both the union and the league have informed their employees of their displeasure over the disclosures, and were trying to uncover who leaked the information. ``There is a feeling that this whole matter could end up blowing up the drug agreement,'' a basketball official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Times. Drug testing was a major part of the collective bargaining agreement reached in January, with marijuana and steroids added to the league's banned substances list. All players were to be tested when training camps opened earlier this month. Confidentiality is an important component of the agreement, as not even the teams are supposed to be informed when players test positive for marijuana the first or second time. The idea is for the league to encourage players to seek treatment and counseling. October 20, 1999Copyright 1999 The New York Times Company Related Article:NBA Tests For MJ, And We Don't Mean Air Jordan - 10/11/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3237.shtmlNBA's New Drug Policy Being Implemented - 10/09/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3212.shtml 
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