Fresh bout of drugs hysteria

The Cousins’ documentary was the cause for much hypocritical hysteria by a range of commentators.

Possibly the most hypocritical complaint in the media was that Cousins was cynically exploiting his addiction to make money via the documentary and seeking to manipulate his public image.

Of course, Channel 7 showed the documentary with one thought in mind: ratings. And Cousins was well-paid for providing the opportunity.

But Cousins has been subjected to relentless media coverage - with the media all aiming to cash in on his story. After playing his final AFL game for Richmond on August 29, he commented wryly: “My front page strike rate was Don Bradman-like.” -

The documentary was at least a chance to tell his story on his own terms.

What especially flummoxes anti-drug moralists is that, for about a decade, Cousins was both a superstar on the field and a regular drug user. Cousins was one of the greatest players of his generation. On the field, his performances were sublime and a joy for football fans to watch.

His story violates the line that all use of drugs deemed illegal is destructive and leads to ruin. But, before his addiction spiralled out of control, Cousins performed at a very high level.

In the show, Cousins described the dynamic between the extremes of his intense training and drug binges. He would put himself through physical hell, denying himself basic pleasures. Then, to break the pressure, he wiped himself out on drugs.

In the end, the tension between these extremes resolved itself in a damaging addiction.

The documentary was slammed for showing images of a high Cousins dancing in his underwear, based on the argument it sets a bad example for youth. But no serious discussion on the use of intoxicants can occur by censoring the truth that people have fun using them. The fact is, if you take cocaine or methamphetamines, there is a risk you will end up dancing happily in your underwear. If you take such drugs frequently, as Cousins did, there is an even greater risk you will end up with a damaging addiction.

The documentary showed both truths.

Former English soccer captain Tony Adams described his battle with drug addiction and its relationship to the physical and emotional demands of professional sport in a similar way in his 1998 autobiography Addicted.