Irvin's Failure to Respond Could Mean Suspension | By Associated Press

....FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin is risking suspension by his failure to respond to the NFL's drug abuse program, according to a Fort Worth Star-Telegram's report Thursday.
....A source told the newspaper late Wednesday that the All-Pro player has not responded to an NFL letter informing him of plans to enroll him in the first stage of the league's substance abuse program.
....Irvin is free on $5,500 bond after his indictment Monday on charges of cocaine and marijuana possession.
...."Anything involving the league's substance testing program we will not comment on," Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said. "There are confidentiality issues that prohibit us from commenting."
....Steve Endicott, Irvin's agent, and his attorney, Kevin Clancy, did not return telephone calls Thursday from The Associated Press. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello reiterated the league policy of not commenting on drug-related incidents.
.....Stage 1 of the league's drug policy guidelines calls for "evaluation and treatment" of a player if his behavior indicates a drug problem.
....The Star-Telegram said the NFL sent a representative to Irvin's home last week to inform him that failing to comply with the first stage may trigger immediate advancement to Stage 2, resulting in automatic four-game suspension without pay.
...."If Michael doesn't get back to them right now, they can count that as if it's a positive test and boom, he's Stage 2," the source told the newspaper.
....Under National Football League guidelines, the first stage is certain to occur because of the charges.
...."The first step is evaluation made by independent medical experts, and you can assume, given the circumstances, that will happen here," said Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association.
....Charges against Irvin are related to the March 4 arrest of a woman at a hotel room where he, former Dallas teammate Alfredo Roberts and a second woman also were present. The two women also were charged with cocaine and marijuana possession. Roberts was not charged.