American Notes DRUGS

As a standout guard for the University of Texas at El Paso, Hernell ("Jeep") Jackson, 23, was a local hero in a basketball-crazy city. His stunning leaps and savvy playmaking had helped his team win four Western Athletic Conference titles. Drafted this spring, he was headed for the U.S. Basketball League's Philadelphia Aces. Then early this month, during a benefit game, he collapsed and died.

As in the case of University of Maryland Basketball Star Len Bias, who died in similar circumstances last year, no one suspected that Jackson had been using drugs. "Jeep had this responsibility and maturity that was just too strong to be overcome by the temptation to use drugs," said a friend. However, police called cocaine a "contributing factor" in Jackson's death. Jackson was well aware of cocaine's dangers: an FBI agent had lectured his team, and El Paso Coach Don Haskins had ordered three surprise drug tests, including one less than two months before Jackson's death. Jeep had passed.