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Willie Mason on drugs for ADHD
August 31, 2004
BULLDOGS star Willie Mason has started taking drugs for ADHD, it was revealed in court yesterday.
The rugby league player began using Ritalin last week to counter the effects of his attention deficit disorder - and his lawyers used the condition as a defence for his latest brush with the law.
Mason appeared before Sydney's Burwood Local Court charged with driving with an expired licence.
Police said they pulled him over on Parramatta Rd, Burwood, on March 14.
During court proceedings, his legal team revealed Mason started taking Ritalin three days before his team's clash with Newcastle on Friday.
He applied to the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) three months ago to be able to take the drug, normally banned for professional sportsmen.
His ADHD became public during May's Origin camp scandal when a bonding/drinking session got out of control.
His barrister Peter Dailly asked the court for a six-month adjournment to give the medication time to "kick in" to help Mason get his driver's licence.
In June, Mason asked ASDMAC to approve his use of methylphenidate (Ritalin) to help save his football career and control his social behaviour.
Ritalin is classed as a stimulant and banned by the Australian Sports Drug Agency.
In a psychiatric assessment tendered to the court, it was revealed Mason's life was affected by ADHD symptoms - hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour and lack of concentration.
"Mr Mason's difficulties with concentration, disorganisation and impulsivity have on numerous occasion resulted in being late to training, missing commitments to sponsors and causing lapses in concentration during football matches," psychiatrist Tony Mastroianni said.
Mason admitted to binge-drinking while "socialising with his football mates" but said he had abstained recently due to an agreement with his club.
It was revealed Mason had failed "numerous attempts" at the learner's knowledge test.
"He reported on each occasion he performed well in the first three-quarters of the test, then found it difficult to concentrate," Dr Mastroianni wrote.
Police said Mason told them he didn't hold a licence. They said it had expired in 2001.
Magistrate Jane Mottley said Mason could avoid conviction if he acquired his licence before he returned to court in February.
The Daily Telegraph
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
Beyond pathetic
How old is this guy and how long is it going to be until he stops using childish excuses for his childish behaviour?
August 31, 2004
BULLDOGS star Willie Mason has started taking drugs for ADHD, it was revealed in court yesterday.
The rugby league player began using Ritalin last week to counter the effects of his attention deficit disorder - and his lawyers used the condition as a defence for his latest brush with the law.
Mason appeared before Sydney's Burwood Local Court charged with driving with an expired licence.
Police said they pulled him over on Parramatta Rd, Burwood, on March 14.
During court proceedings, his legal team revealed Mason started taking Ritalin three days before his team's clash with Newcastle on Friday.
He applied to the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) three months ago to be able to take the drug, normally banned for professional sportsmen.
His ADHD became public during May's Origin camp scandal when a bonding/drinking session got out of control.
His barrister Peter Dailly asked the court for a six-month adjournment to give the medication time to "kick in" to help Mason get his driver's licence.
In June, Mason asked ASDMAC to approve his use of methylphenidate (Ritalin) to help save his football career and control his social behaviour.
Ritalin is classed as a stimulant and banned by the Australian Sports Drug Agency.
In a psychiatric assessment tendered to the court, it was revealed Mason's life was affected by ADHD symptoms - hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour and lack of concentration.
"Mr Mason's difficulties with concentration, disorganisation and impulsivity have on numerous occasion resulted in being late to training, missing commitments to sponsors and causing lapses in concentration during football matches," psychiatrist Tony Mastroianni said.
Mason admitted to binge-drinking while "socialising with his football mates" but said he had abstained recently due to an agreement with his club.
It was revealed Mason had failed "numerous attempts" at the learner's knowledge test.
"He reported on each occasion he performed well in the first three-quarters of the test, then found it difficult to concentrate," Dr Mastroianni wrote.
Police said Mason told them he didn't hold a licence. They said it had expired in 2001.
Magistrate Jane Mottley said Mason could avoid conviction if he acquired his licence before he returned to court in February.
The Daily Telegraph
------
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Beyond pathetic
How old is this guy and how long is it going to be until he stops using childish excuses for his childish behaviour?
