Calls for action on prescription drugs in NRL

The pair have given statements outside hospital and Gray says they’re forever grateful to staff there.

Australian rugby league players Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray have been released from hospital after overdosing on prescription drugs and apologised to their families and friends for causing them worry.

“We’ve learnt from our mistakes”.

‘We’d like to say we’ve learnt from our mistakes and we hope everyone can learn lessons – not only rugby league players but people in general’.

The incident has sparked a major debate about the dangers of prescription drugs in the game amid reports they are being widely abused.

South Sydney were knocked out of the NRL finals this month and both Walker and Gray were prescribed highly-addictive pain-relief drugs after undergoing surgery ahead of pre-season training.

Four days after being found near death and placed in induced comas in intensive care at St Vincent’s Hospital the tired looking NRL-playing pair emerged, saying they were sorry for causing their families distress.

Walker – 20 – and Gray – 21 – left St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney this afternoon, having fully recovered from the overdose that, were it not for the presence of others on the scene, could have turned tragic in a big hurry.

“Hair testing lasts for a total of 90 days, so at the moment we have guys on seven weeks holidays who will go untouched”, Readie said.

Lee said illicit drugs were not involved in the incident, though the club was still investigating.

The pair were at Gray’s apartment with two friends when they became ill. “It is clear they took too much of a prescribed medication”, he said.

“Ultimately, in the goodness of time, we will know that and I will be happy to share that more fully with people at that time”.

“I think for our club and for all the clubs in the NRL, there are necessary pressures applied so players are able to take the field”, Lee said.

On a day when the NRL has said it does not believe the issue of the misuse of prescription drugs is a widespread one it does acknowledge players could be manipulating the monitoring process and players who have concerns are being urged to speak up.