DO THE PISTONS HAVE ANY POTHEADS?

Wilson Doubts Major Problem; Tests Will Tell July 15, 1999

Pistons president Tom Wilson doesn't think his team has a major problem
with marijuana use.

But three sources tell the Free Press that as many as six players smoked
pot last season, and the New York Times recently reported that 70 percent
of NBA players use marijuana or another drug.

The sources, who asked not to be identified, include a former Piston. One
person said he saw four Pistons smoking marijuana in Atlanta during the
playoffs.

Asked whether his team has a drug problem, Wilson said: "Not to our
immediate knowledge, but I guess we'll see. A couple of players we talked
to said we are a very clean team. It's a good thing from the standpoint
that if we find there's a slight problem, that's great. If there's a major
problem, then it will be something we have to address."

Marijuana and anabolic steroids were added to the NBA's list of banned
substances under the collective bargaining agreement reached with the
players last winter. The league will begin testing for those drugs when
training camp opens in October.

Rookies will be tested four times a season on a random basis.

"It's a case of developing good habits early," Wilson said.

The NBA Players Association has warned players that marijuana use in July
might show up in a drug test in October.

Wilson said of players around the league: "I'm sure there's some use or
else there wouldn't be a need for (testing). If players need to be scared
straight, then that's good. The players association sent out notification
to all the players that (marijuana) stays in your system 60 to 90 days, so
the message was, let's stop it now."

Wilson said he had discussed drug use with his players and said most
disagreed with the New York Times report that 70 percent of NBA players
were users.

"I don't have an educated opinion, but from conversations I've had, most of
the players thought that was highly exaggerated," Wilson said. "Whatever
the percentage is, it's too high.

"We know that in the '70s and '80s there was a problem. But the players
association has taken a very strong stance, and I'm glad."

All players will be tested in training camp. Once the season starts, a
player can be tested if an arbitrator decides, after a hearing, that
there's reasonable cause to think he has used, possessed or distributed any
prohibited substance. Players who test positive must enter a counseling
program. A second positive test brings a $15,000 fine, and any third or
subsequent positive test means a five-game suspension.

Teams likely won't identify players who have failed drug tests and will
protect them until they face suspension. "I wouldn't think it would be
something the league would make public," Wilson said. "I think the only way
it would be made public is if a player suddenly wasn't around."

Which would be after a third offense in the case of marijuana.

Anyone testing positive for steroids receives a five-game suspension for
the first offense, 10 games for a second offense, and 25 games without pay
for a third offense.