UCLA Bound by Privacy Laws in Drug-Testing Policy Cases

UCLA lawyers are definitive about one major drug-policy issue: Because of state and federal privacy laws, unless the student-athlete authorizes it, there must be no UCLA comment on any specific case involving the school’s drug-testing policy.

The school has gone to great lengths to point out that, even if it wanted to, UCLA cannot legally comment on speculation that a student-athlete has tested positive for drug use.

A month ago, when rumors surfaced that a men’s basketball player might be facing an imminent drug suspension, Joseph Mandel, UCLA vice chancellor for legal affairs, held an unusual media conference to disclose that the school could not disclose anything.

“I read the newspapers and I see the innuendoes, suggestions, rumors and all that kind of stuff,” Mandel said. “If there’s anything that’s more private and more potentially damaging to somebody’s reputation than allegations of drug use, I’d be hard-pressed to find out what it is.

“So, that’s a no-brainer as far as the university is concerned. We cannot say anything about that, whether something’s going on or something’s not going on.”