Nixon: Pharmacist’s Suggestion Unsuccessful at Beating Drug Test

A child-custody dispute with his former wife and a pharmacist’s suggestion of how to beat a drug test pushed Otis Nixon back to cocaine, the Atlanta Braves outfielder said.

In his first substantive interview since commissioner Fay Vincent suspended him Sept. 16, Nixon said off-the-field problems were “pounding on me,” according to today’s editions of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Nixon said a pharmacist friend--whom the outfielder declined to identify--offered eight or nine lines of cocaine. The pharmacist suggested an herbal tea tablet and vinegar cocktail would chase the drug from Nixon’s system and avoid detection. He had been subject to drug testing since a 1987 arrest at Buffalo, N.Y.

“I had dropped the ball in trying to lead my life around,” Nixon said. “I let my guard down enough to see if it would work.”

Nixon has 21 days remaining on his suspension. He hit .297 last season, 69 points above his career average, and his 72 steals led the National League at the time of the suspension.

Nixon said he watched the NL playoffs and World Series and read newspaper columns about how he had let down the team and the community.

“I hurt,” Nixon said. “I wouldn’t wish that hurt on anyone.”

The custody problem with his former wife hasn’t been resolved, but he sees his 8-year-old daughter in Nashville more often.

“I’m stronger now than I probably have ever been,” he said. “My life is better, my relationships are better.”

But more important, Nixon said, “I can talk about things. I have no secrets to hide. I know who I am and where I’m going.”