Athletes who use ‘ice’ risk heart attacks

Recreational drugs are back in the media spotlight, with the West Coast Eagles admitting that a small group of their players, including former captain and Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins, have had problems with drugs and alcohol.

Sydney Swans co-captain Leo Barry said today he thought it naive to believe AFL stars were exempt from the increasing popularity of methamphetamines.

Drug expert Gino Vumbaca, executive officer at the Australian National Council for Drugs (ANCD), said there were examples overseas of the use of stimulant drugs leading to death of sports stars on the field of play.

Basketball star Reggie Lewis, former captain of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, died aged 27 in 1995 when his heart, strongly suspected to have been damaged by cocaine use, gave out on court.

“There can be some adverse consequences – not everyone who uses it is as serious as that – but there’s a risk,” said Mr Vumbaca.

Mr Vumbaca said ice, a particularly potent stimulant, put strain on the body’s cardiovascular system, which in top-flight sportsmen was already under extreme pressure.

But he said there was still no data comparing the effect of different drugs on people involved in high-impact sport and exercise.

“What we do know is that drug use has an impact on your heart and cardiovascular system, especially amphetamines, cocaine and stimulants,” Mr Vumbaca said.

“People have got to be careful combining that with high exertion sports.”

The revelation that football players might be taking ice should end the stereotype of the typical user of the drug, he said.

Mr Vumbaca said the work of the ANCD, set up in 1998 by Prime Minister John Howard to provide independent advice and education about drugs, was hampered by outmoded stereotypes of ice users as the dregs of society.

The drug was gaining popularity among the trendy nightclub set because it was more readily available than perennial club favourite cocaine.

“People mixing in those nightclub circles where they may have expected cocaine to be pulled out are finding methamphetamine and being told it’s just the same, or better,” Mr Vumbaca said.

According to recent ANCD research, around half a million Australians have used methamphetamines in the past year.

Almost 1.5 million, or one in 10, have tried the drug.

The research showed that while use of all other drugs have been in steady decline over the past six years, ecstasy and ice use remained fairly constant.

Source : www.news.com.au