Drug Policy

The University of Miami announced yesterday a stricter drug policy in the wake of reports that one of its football stars tested positive and was allowed to play anyway. The new policy, which requires all athletics to undergo a minimum of three random tests each year, also comes as the NCAA Committee on Infractions begins to review information from investigations into three scandals at Miami in the past year. "It's not intended to punish," Miami athletic director Paul Dee said.

The PGA Tour is nearing completion on a comprehensive drug policy, and commissioner Tim Finchem said yesterday that testing could start as early as next year. Finchem spoke to the tour's 16-man player advisory council on Monday and updated it on the PGA's progress. He said drug testing would be only one part of the policy. Still to be determined are exemptions for therapeutic use. The LPGA Tour will begin drug testing next year. U.S. Solheim Cup player Sherri Steinhauer shot a 5-under-par 67 in windy conditions to take a 1-stroke lead in the LPGA State Farm Classic, while Annika Sorenstam was 4 shots back on the Panther Creek Country Club course in Springfield, Ill. Marc Warren made eight birdies for an 8-under 65 to take a 1-stroke lead in the first round of the Johnnie Walker Championship on the Centenary Course in Gleneagles, Scotland.

Almost a century ago, the United States started down the path toward prohibition of illegal drugs and criminalization of those who use them. Decades of lackluster to disastrous results did little to change the chosen course. Only a sharp economic downturn could do that. There's little to like about the current recession, but it is moving drug and prison policies in a more pragmatic direction. In one of the most remarkable examples, New York's legislature voted last week to dismantle its harsh drug laws.

When Buffalo defenseman Uwe Krupp tested positive for the stimulant phentermine a week ago at the World Championships in Switzerland, it pointed up the NHL's almost nonexistent drug policy. Krupp, playing for his native West Germany, was banned from all international competition for 18 months, but his status with the Sabres will not be affected since the NHL does not test for drugs. (The league has, however, taken action against three players who were charged with possession of heroin or cocaine.

The Chesilhurst school board last week adopted a revised drug-education policy to comply with a new state law. Administrative principal Shirley B. Foster said at the board's meeting Monday night that the district had had a policy for several years and that the revisions were mostly technical. Under Chesilhurst's policy, Foster said that all 180 students in the district, which teaches kindergarten through sixth grade, already were being exposed to lectures and films on drug abuse.

The Transport Workers Union already is objecting to a new drug policy that SEPTA wants approved next week when the matter goes before U.S. District Judge Edmund Ludwig. In February, Ludwig ordered SEPTA to halt random drug testing of employees until it could come up with a better program. Roger Tauss, president of TWU Local 234, yesterday labeled the new program unreasonable and "insane. " In addition to random drug testing, Tauss said, SEPTA wants a drug rehabilitation program that would insist on management being told the names of employees who ask for help in dealing with their drug programs.

Philadelphia Electric has established a tough new drug policy requiring the firing of any employee caught dealing or using drugs. It also calls for random drug testing for any worker with unescorted-access clearance to its nuclear facilities, from PE's chairman on down. The utility in March fired four workers indicted earlier by a federal grand jury for allegedly participating in a ring that sold methamphetamine inside the Peach Bottom nuclear power plant in York County. Peach Bottom was shut down by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March 1987, after control room workers were found sleeping on the job or playing video games.

Orlando center Shawn Kemp was suspended without pay by the NBA yesterday, the third time he has violated the terms of the league's anti-drug policy. Kemp's suspension began with last night's game against New Jersey, and will continue until he has resumed full compliance with his treatment program. "We don't know whether the program was violated or he just missed a test. You just hope things work out for him," Orlando coach Doc Rivers said. "The basketball side of it with him I could honestly care less.

After acknowledging that drug use had become "a major problem" in the National Football League, commissioner Pete Rozelle yesterday vowed to institute a stringent policy addressing the issue before next season. During a news conference at the annual owners' meetings, Rozelle revealed that he had begun discussions with the NFL Players Association about strict new sanctions against drug use, and he quickly added that he was prepared to implement a policy unilaterally if an agreement could not be reached.

PITTSBURGH - Syracuse will have to chase a national championship without starting center Fab Melo, the Big East defensive player of year, who has been declared ineligible for the NCAA tournament. Syracuse (31-2) opens play on Thursday against No. 16 seed North Carolina-Asheville. The university announced Tuesday that the 7-foot Brazilian, who did not travel with the team to Pittsburgh for the second- and third-round games, won't take part in the tournament due to an eligibility issue.

SYRACUSE center Fab Melo has been ruled ineligible for the NCAA Tournament, another shot in a season full of them for the Orange. The university announced yesterday that the 7-foot Brazilian did not travel with the team to Pittsburgh and won't take part in the tournament due to an eligibility issue. Melo missed three games earlier this season because of an academic issue. ESPN, citing an anonymous source, reported that Melo's absence is related to the first suspension and that the NCAA revisited the case and again ruled him ineligible.

At least 10 Syracuse players since 2001 have tested positive for a banned recreational substance or substances, Yahoo Sports reported, citing four sources close to the situation. The sources said the 10 were allowed to practice and play at times when they should have been suspended by the athletic department, including instances when some players might not have known of their own ineligibility. The sources said Syracuse violated its drug policy in at least two areas: failing to properly count positive tests and playing ineligible players after they should have been subject to suspension.

ELI MANNING hoisted the Lombardi Trophy from a glittering blue-and-white float, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg joked that New York City should now be nicknamed the "Big Blue Apple," as thousands of fans crowded lower Manhattan yesterday to celebrate the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory amid tons of confetti. The parade set off from the southern tip of Manhattan and rolled slowly north to City Hall, past fans dressed head to toe in red, blue and white Giants gear, with confetti wafting slowly from the high-rises lining Broadway.

VINELAND, N.J. - Gov. Christie says his plan to send more nonviolent drug offenders into treatment rather than to prison is motivated partly by the successes of smaller-scale versions of the program - including a former intern of his who he says went from being a teenage heroin addict to an accomplished lawyer. Christie told the story Thursday at an unusually emotional and decidedly subdued edition of his statewide series of town hall meetings. His answers were so long that he had time to take only about a half-dozen questions, and two dealt with his views on drug treatment.

The Boston Red Sox agreed to terms with righthanded pitcher Andrew Bailey on Wednesday on a one-year contract worth $3.9 million. The deal avoids arbitration. Bailey, who made $465,000 last year, asked for $4.7 million; the team offered $3.35 million. Bailey was acquired from the Oakland Athletics this winter. The 27-year-old graduate of Paul VI High School in Haddon Township converted 24 of 26 save opportunities with a 3.24 ERA for the A's in 2011. The Red Sox shipped outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head, and minor-league pitcher Raul Alcantara to Oakland for the all-star closer and outfielder Ryan Sweeney.

MARK CUBAN, the owner of the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, said he offered to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers several months ago but declined to enter negotiations when owner Frank McCourt said the price would be in the range of $1 billion to $1.2 billion. "At that price, I wasn't interested," Cuban told the Los Angeles Times yesterday. Cuban, who has lost out in bidding for the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, said he remains interested in buying the Dodgers should the price come down.

BATON ROUGE, La. - Les Miles said star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, leading rusher Spencer Ware, and defensive back Tharold Simon have returned to practice. After unbeaten Louisiana State's 45-10 victory over Auburn, the three were suspended for violating the team's drug policy. Miles said they practiced Tuesday and are expected to play for the No. 1 Tigers when they visit second-ranked Alabama on Nov. 5. Gators lose two more. Florida said tight end Gerald Christian and receiver Robert Clark intend to transfer.

LSU HAS SUSPENDED star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, defensive back Tharold Simon and running back Spencer Ware for Saturday's home game against Auburn because they've run afoul of the team's drug policy, according to a person familiar with the decision. The person told the Associated Press about the suspensions yesterday on condition of anonymity because they have not been announced. But the person did not specify the drug for which the players tested positive. LSU coach Les Miles declined to confirm any punishment for members of his No. 1 Tigers after yesterday's practice.

ROOKIE Randall Delgado pitched five innings for his first major league win, and the visiting Atlanta Braves put the brakes on their recent skid by beating the Florida Marlins, 4-0, last night. "It was an important victory for the team," said Delgado (1-1). "There was a little pressure, but after a couple of innings I forgot about that. " The 21-year-old righthander, making his sixth career start, allowed five hits and lowered his ERA to 2.70. Cristhian Martinez and Anthony Vavaro both retired six consecutive batters to complete the 16th shutout for the Braves, which ties for third-most in the majors.