PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Drug Plan Called Most Comprehensive

The NFL Management Council and the players’ association have agreed on a new drug policy, described by the two sides as the most comprehensive in sports.

The policy expands the testing and discipline components of the previous policy by adding a stronger emphasis on education, evaluation and treatment, the league and the NFLPA said.

Any player found to have an alcohol or other drug abuse problem will have an opportunity for treatment and recovery but must agree to fully participate in the evaluation and treatment prescribed. Failure to do so will result in fines or suspensions.

Under the new plan, teams would enter players testing positive for drug use into a treatment program. If a player tested positive for the substance after completing the program, he would be fined three games’ pay. A second positive test after treatment would result in a four-game fine and a four-week suspension. A player would be banished from the league with the possibility of reinstatement after one year for a third positive test.