Driesell Drug Remarks Questioned

Officials at the University of Maryland have asked that former basketball coach Lefty Driesell clarify remarks in which he called cocaine “performance enhancing.”

Driesell, coach at Maryland when All-American Len Bias died of cocaine intoxication last June 19, originally made the observation at a conference on drugs in sports at the University of Rhode Island and elaborated on his views Monday.

“I’m a firm believer that, if you know how to use cocaine and use it properly, it can make you play better,” Driesell said. “I really believe cocaine can be performance enhancing.”

Driesell noted that four of the top players in Atlantic Coast Conference history--John Lucas of Maryland, David Thompson of North Carolina State and Walter Davis and Phil Ford of North Carolina--were admitted drug abusers.

School officials said Tuesday they would ask Driesell to clarify his comments.

“Our reasons are kind of fundamental; we’re basically interested in the health of the individual who is taking drugs,” university vice chancellor Dr. A. H. (Bud) Edwards said. “It’s a detriment to health, I think that’s clear.”

Edwards said he was surprised by Driesell’s comments and said the university did not share them. He said officials would not reprimand Driesell but would ask him to explain what he meant and his position on drug use by athletes.