Fouts Says Drug Tests Are Only Way to Stop Problem

SAN DIEGO â€”  Out of concern over the issue of cocaine abuse among pro football players, San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts said Saturday he would be willing to submit to spot drug tests as a means of combatting the problem.

“I would not object to undergoing urinalysis on a random basis,� Fouts said. “I think it’s the only way to stop the problem.�

Although he declined to speculate on the dimensions of the problem, Fouts said his concern for the lives of the individuals being damaged by drug use caused him to put aside his objections to spot testing.

Fouts was reluctant to be drawn into the highly charged debate over drug abuse because of the fear that his remarks might be misunderstood.

“This is a very complex matter,� Fouts said. “The issue of privacy has to be considered, but the way I see it, most players have nothing to hide, and so they shouldn’t fear urinalysis.

“Drug abuse is certainly not as widespread as it may seem sometimes, but in order to contain it, I would not oppose a hard-line approach. I could live with it, and I’d almost welcome it to help clean up the game.�

Fouts was interviewed Saturday afternoon, only a few hours after a group of Charger veterans met under somewhat clandestine circumstances to review the sensitive topic of drug abuse.

The meeting was convened by linebacker Linden King, who had spoken out earlier in the week following the arrest of teammate Mike Green on drug charges.

“It’s time to put a stop to (drug abuse),� King had said. “The drug situation is way out of hand.�

King was fearful that the credibility of an entire team could be damaged by drug use among one or two players.

Green is to be arraigned July 24, and Charger management has declined to comment on his future pending the resolution of his case from a legal standpoint.