(function()var src_url=”https://spshared.5min.com/Scripts/PlayerSeed.js?playList=519156958&height=&width=100&sid=577&origin=SOLR&videoGroupID=174903&relatedNumOfResults=100&responsive=true&ratio=wide&align=center&relatedMode=2&relatedBottomHeight=60&companionPos=&hasCompanion=false&autoStart=false&colorPallet=%23FFEB00&videoControlDisplayColor=%23191919&shuffle=0&isAP=1&pgType=cmsPlugin&pgTypeId=addToPost-top&onVideoDataLoaded=track5min.DL&onTimeUpdate=track5min.TC&onVideoDataLoaded=HPTrack.Vid.DL&onTimeUpdate=HPTrack.Vid.TC”;if (typeof(commercial_video) == “object”) src_url += “&siteSection=”+commercial_video.site_and_category;if (commercial_video.package) src_url += “&sponsorship=”+commercial_video.package;}var script = document.createElement(“script”);script.src = src_url;script.async = true;var placeholder = document.querySelector(“.js-fivemin-script”);placeholder.parentElement.replaceChild(script, placeholder);})(); The NBA community is still reeling from news of Lamar Odom’s Tuesday hospitalization ;after being found …
The NBA community is still reeling from news of Lamar Odom’s Tuesday hospitalization ;after being found unconscious ;at a Nevada brothel, ;NBA Players Association executive director Michele Roberts wants to make sure something ;like this never happens again.
In an interview with TMZ Sports on Wednesday, Roberts said that in the next round of collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ;negotiations, an improved substance ;abuse policy is on the NBAPA’s wish list.
“Lamar Odom’s tragedy should not be replicated,” she said. ;
The NBAPA can opt out of the current CBA, which runs until 2021, following the 2016-17 season. (Roberts told TMZ sports that “we have CBA negotiations coming up,” which may have been a slip indicating that the NBAPA intends to opt out early — something they have yet to confirm.) ;
In any case, Roberts wants to ensure that players don’t fear retribution from the NBA if they have a drug problem and want to seek help. ;
“My fear is that players who do have problems don’t come out, because they’re concerned they’ll lose their jobs, and they end up losing their jobs anyway,” she said. ;
“The league, I think, has the same interest we have, and that is, if a player has a problem, to help him some help and get him repaired so he can continue to play the game.” ; ;
Under the current NBA substance abuse policy, offending players receive baseline suspensions and are required to attend the NBA’s anti-doping counseling program. Not all drugs, however, are treated the same. PED users face escalating suspensions for repeat offenses, while marijuana users face required treatment for a first offense, treatment and a fine for a second offense and a five-game suspension for a third offense.
A first failed test for “drugs of abuse,” however — drugs like cocaine, heroin and LSD — will result instant banishment from the league ;(although one can be reinstated). For example, Miami Heat center Chris Andersen was banned in January 2006 for one ;such violation, but was reinstated in March 2008 after proving his sobriety. ;
Odom was reportedly doing cocaine before he fell unconscious on Tuesday. ;
Roberts, for one, believes the policy can and should be strengthened in the wake of Odom’s shocking overdose.
“It’s all about trying to be a little bit more proactive,” she said. “Lamar’s tragedy should not be replicated anymore. We know now and we should try and do more to prevent it.”
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Michele Roberts Wants NBA Drug Policy That Helps Players Seek Treatment
