CONGRESS CHALLENGES NBA'S POLICIES ON DRUGS

A congressional subcommittee led by Congressman J. Dennis Hastert challenged
the the National Basketball Association Tuesday to adopt a "zero tolerance"
policy on drugs.

In a letter sent to NBA Commissioner David Stern and Players Association
Executive Director Billy Hunger, 27 members of Congress urged the league to
expand its drug testing policy so all players are tested for marijuana use.
According to a task force statement, only NBA rookies are tested for marijuana.

Messages left with the NBA commissioner's office and the players association
were not returned Tuesday.

The task force also encouraged the league to adopt stiffer penalties for
players who violate the policy.

Hastert said the NBA was targeted because its drug policies are more lax
than other professional sports leagues

"These guys are heroes to kids across the country; just witness what took
place today in Grant Park with the Chicago Bulls," Hastert said. "These
people are the heroes to our kids. We think they should be drug free."

The task force letter also called for "tough penalties for violators" but
did not define what the congressmen wanted those penalties to be.

In addition to signing the letter, Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts called on
the House to adopt a resolution encouraging all professional sports leagues
as well as the International Olympic Committee to establish clear drug abuse
policies and penalties.

Watts' resolution encouraged sports leagues to enroll drug-abusing athletes
in treatment programs. It also encouraged leagues to require athletes to
identify their dealers or face a one-year suspension without pay.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett