MY DRUG SHAME
Walker so sorry for his ‘crack’ madness
ENGLAND star Kyle Walker last night issued a grovelling apology after being pictured sucking the legal but potentially deadly ‘ hippy crack’ through a balloon during a night out.
The Tottenham defender, who flew to Kiev with the national team yesterday to prepare for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, admitted he had let down England by using the substance nitrous oxide.
Walker, who started England’s 40 victory over Moldova at Wembley on Friday, said: ‘I have now been made aware of the health risks associated with the practice and accept that my actions were of poor judgment.
‘I hope this will in no way influence or encourage others into putting their own health at risk.’
Users of nitrous oxide say the latest craze on the party circuit, the supply of which is illegal, though the use is not, produces feelings of euphoria that have been likened to heroin or crack cocaine.
But medical experts warn it can lead to longterm health damage, including seizures, fits, strokes and even death.
Stephen Ream, the director of a substance abuse charity ReSolv, has warned: ‘Nitrous oxide is one of a number of substances that kill recreational users every year. It’s important to realise that “legal” does not mean “safe” when it comes to substance misuse.’
Despite Walker’s admission of blame, the FA were last night refusing to take any action, though his actions break their code of conduct on player behaviour.
The FA insist that Walker, who has seven caps and is expected to start against Ukraine, has not broken any laws or behaved in a way that affects his standing with the England team.
But, in the charter, it is made clear the players are role models at all times. It reads: ‘Players representing England are ambassadors for their country and role models for younger players.
‘The highest standards of conduct and behaviour are therefore expected at all times, including when players are not on international duty.’
The picture of Walker is believed to have been taken in June when injury forced him out of the England squad to face the Republic of Ireland at Wembley and the Brazil in the Maracana.
Walker has shown maturity and accountability by accepting his actions and issuing an apology following the image published by the Sunday Mirror.
Danny LeeFrost, of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, also emphasised the danger of nitrous oxide, saying:
‘The supply of nitrous oxide for inhalation and recreational use is strictly illegal, as it can only be supplied in this form by a registered pharmacist.
‘ Vendors are committing an offence by selling or supplying a pharmacy medicine not under the control of a pharmacist. They could face a twoyear imprisonment and an unlimited fine.’
Walker looks likely to play in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, since manager Roy Hodgson has already lost several key players.
Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Andy Carroll and Alex OxladeChamberlain are all injured, along with Glen Johnson and Phil Jones.
Danny Welbeck is suspended after a booking during the victory against Moldova at Wembley.
Hodgson is unlikely to jump upon the moral highground and omit Walker for a breach of discipline, although Chris Smalling is in the squad and capable of playing at rightback.
There is even a case to make for starting with centrehalf Smalling in that position, as he will offer greater security in a game a where avoiding defeat is imperative.
Walker’s strength i s raiding forward and, despite insisting his team will go out for the win not the draw, Hodgson will probably deploy a more restrained strategy.
James Milner is anticipated as the replacement for Welbeck, rather than Ashley Young.
When he first took over from Fabio Capello, ahead of Euro 2012, Hodgson’s f i rst move was to tighten up the team. England conceded only five in his first 10 games, but it was rarely thrilling.
Finding the balance with the players available proved tricky. Since encouraging them to operate with more freedom and expression, his team conceded 12 in the next nine games.
The loss of arguably England’s best centrehalves — John Terry and Rio Ferdinand — has not helped and, ironically, here was a rift which started with the FA’s tough stance on discipline in the days before the Code of Conduct.
As Terry appeared yesterday in the charity match for Stiliyan Petrov, at Parkhead, former England boss Glenn Hoddle went on BBC 5live bemoaning the absence of true quality in central defence.
It i s more noticeable when goalkeeper Joe Hart suffers a blip, but perhaps Hart’s blip is not unrelated to the quality in defence and the attitude of the team.
One thing is certain, Hodgson knows how to tighten things up when he has to and the game against Ukraine, backed by a noisy, passionate support may be one of those moments.