You don't have to be an NBA fan to feel extreme
disgust after watching highlights of the Indiana
Pacers and Detroit Pistons brawl last friday night.
If you are an NBA fan, as I am, than it is now time to
talk about the problem with Ron Artest and
antidepressants.
New York Daily News sports writer Roger Rubin wrote an
excellent article that was published November 21st.
Perhaps the most revealing portion of the article is
contained when Rubin writes, "According to one
lifelong friend, Artest has sought professional help
for his mental health and is on prescription
antidepressants.In an interview with WFAN yesterday,
Greg Anthony intimated that as well. Artest recently
completed court-ordered anger management counseling
that resulted from a domestic abuse charge."
I would like to know why a growing number of NBA
players and other sports stars are either on
antidepressants, or are shameless paid promoters of
them. Namely, Terry Bradshaw, former Pittsburgh
Steelers great who is fast becoming more recognized as
a Paxil patsy than the fact he helped bring the
Pittsburgh Steelers national fame.
I can only hope Pittsburgh Steelers faithful from the
past and present are looking at Terry Bradshaw with
this thought in mind: "What are you doing?"
We need to look at Ron Artest with this same thought.
And more. I fully understand that antidepressants are
finally under scrutiny right now, but it does no one
any good to try and blame "society" or "emotion" for
mayhem.
Even worse, when someone like Ron Artest commits
violent crimes and other pathetic outbursts, cries of
being "misunderstood" start rolling in. We need to
find out ASAP what his diagnosis was that warranted an
antidepressant prescription. We need to find out ASAP
what the name of the antidepressant is.
The problem with Ron Artest and antidepressants is
crystal clear. No responsibility, no accountability,
no remorse. Sports psychologists and pharmaceutical
big shots enjoy lamenting that we supposedly live in a
frenetic society and things - just happen. Right?
Well, are we supposed to be glad help is out there?
Give me a break.
We all go through troubling times, and there is no
harm in this itself. In fact, there is no harm in
finding a "drug-free" counselor who can bolster you
with solid life skills to work through emotional hot
spots.
However, it is very sad to see both the sports world
and the world of "mental health" drowning in a sea of
subjective psychiatric disorders and lethal drugs.
Whatever happened to self-restraint? Self-reliance?
Knowing what is right behavior and what is wrong
behavior?
Imagine a world where both athletes and pharmaceutical
companies took responsibility for the mayhem they
create. Imagine a world where both athletes and
pharmaceutical companies felt remorse for their
actions. Imagine a world where both athletes and
pharmaceutical companies were held accountable to a
tee for the destruction they cause.
It appears antidepressants and anger management have
done nothing for Ron Artest. Antidepressants and
anger management have done far more harm than good for
the rest of us as well. It is time for Ron Artest to
walk away from the NBA before he kills himself or
others. Maybe he can put together a support group with
the likes of Terry Bradshaw and Ricky Williams. Or
rap with him on his next album.
What a scary thought.
Zizza is a freelance writer based in the Atlanta area.
He serves as Vice President of Parents For
Label and Drug Free Education in the state of Georgia.
Email comments to him at:
tz777@yahoo.com
