12 Dec 2013

Coroner calls for drug screening after Defence death

7:15 pm on 12 December 2013

A coroner has suggested security guards, police and Defence Force personnel be screened for performance enhancing drugs.

Coroner Carla na Nagara recommended the screening after a man died from a heart attack at a Defence Force base after taking anabolic steroids and stimulants.

The man, who cannot be named, collapsed and died during a training session. Pills were found in his room which turned out to be anabolic steroids.

The man was also taking stimulants, including caffeine tablets, energy drinks and dietary supplements, one of which contained an illegal amphetamine.

The coroner says the combination of steroids and stimulants probably caused the man's heart to fail.

She is recommending the Defence Force, along with police and hospitality industry, consider adopting similar drug screening regimes to those used on professional athletes.