NRL must combat prescription drug abuse
It's the wake up call the NRL and sporting world needed but this is an issue that's been brewing for years.
Prescription drugs are a serious problem and,if abused, the consequences can be dire.
Two players are lucky to be alive today.
It appears a triple-O call from a concerned mate saved the life of young South Sydney player Aaron Gray.
When this story broke, the rumour mill went into overdrive.
Why were Gray and teammate Dylan Walker rushed to hospital in a critical condition on a Tuesday morning at 3.45am?
What did they take- were illicit drugs involved?
UPDATE: Walker, Gray stabilised and on road to recovery
I was mindful of getting the facts before jumping at shadows.
As it turns out, it wasn't cocaine or ecstasy but an overdose of prescription drugs.
It was staggering Souths CEO John Lee refused to use the word overdose.
He admitted the players took more painkillers than prescribed.
Ah, that's called an overdose John in anyone's language.
The sequence of events that led to these two players collapsing will become clearer in coming days.
A week after they underwent post season surgery, the pair were seen at a pub in Sydney's south just hours before collapsing.
It's unclear how much alcohol they consumed before heading back to a nearby house.
A toxicology report will detail the cocktail of drugs in the players' systems.
It's believed they overdosed on oxycodone known as "hillbilly heroin".
Tramadol is the other PD the players took and excessive amounts of the painkillers can have serious side effects.
As a cocktail, too much of the above drugs can be extremely harmful.
The NRL hasn't completely buried their heads in the sand on PDs.
They've been testing players to get a grip on just how widespread prescription drugs are in the code.
But this latest episode is a timely reminder whatever the cost, the NRL must step up the process.
Education of young players is also paramount.
If the game can reap squillions from broadcast deals, they can spend it on testing and educating players on the perils of PDs.
And while we're at it, blood testing for performance enhancing drugs should be increased whatever the expense.
This is not just an issue for the NRL.
I was told by several highly respected AFL officials of their concerns more than a decade ago.
One club powerbroker said the biggest issue with players wasn't illicit drugs or alcohol.
The biggest problems were gambling and, you guessed it, prescription drugs.
The issue hasn't gone away and it's worsened.
We don't need a death for the problem to be addressed.
This week is the last straw and a circuit breaker to acknowledge we have a problem among elite athletes.
Otherwise it will be too late and precious lives will be lost.