NEW PROBLEMS FOR N.B.A.

To the Sports Editor:

I'm not surprised that few National Basketball Association players tested
positive for marijuana recently ("N.B.A. Finds Minimal Use of Marijuana in
First Tests," Feb. 7). Drug tests are easily beaten with a combination of
temporary abstinence and masking agents. If the sole purpose of testing is
to improve the N.B.A.'s image, the tests are proving very effective.
Nonetheless, the success of drug tests may come back to haunt the N.B.A.

Marijuana is difficult to mask because its metabolites are fat soluble and
remain in the human body for days. Harder drugs like cocaine or heroin are
water soluble and exit the human body within 48 hours. Drug testing
unintentionally encourages hard drug use. The N.B.A.'s testing policy may
compel users of marijuana, which is relatively benign, to make cocaine
their drug of choice in order to avoid detection. I would hope that the
N.B.A. cares more about the health of its players than its overall image.

Robert Sharpe, Washington