Claire Brock is joined by Sports Broadcaster Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh and Neale Richmond TD to discuss cocaine use in the GAA. This issue came to national attention when it was brought up in the Seanad.
Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh believes the GAA is in a great position to educate people about the damage that cocaine can do to the body. She states that more and more doctors have people coming to them with the side effects of cocaine usage. Ní Cheallaigh believes the appeal of cocaine for those who play GAA comes down to availability, the price and the fact that one does not gain weight on the substance, it is an appetite suppressant and there is no hangover meaning you can train the next day.
Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh believes not enough people understand the risk when taking such an unregulated and dangerous substance. She encourages education to be offered to young people.
Neale Richmond TD believes that it is more widespread than just in GAA - that cocaine usage can be found in rugby, cricket and hockey as well. He recounts players openly talking after matches of looking to procure substances and celebratory plans.
Richmond believes that cocaine is being seen for its possible advantages without any regard for the risk involved. He reflects on his own youth, stating that cocaine was not as available but can see the appeal of the drug to young men who are looking to get into shape.
He emphasises the need for young people to understand the severity of the drug. Neale Richmond believes that there must be education all the way down to Minor teams about drug safety across all sports from a financial point of view, risk assessment and how it affects your performance as an athlete.
Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh is not too concerned with inter-county players as they are regularly drug tested. She is more concerned with the average players who attend gyms who might fall into drug usage without a proper understanding of the implications.
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22 фев 2022
