Another athlete has fallen victim to prescription drug addiction. Starting New England Patriots offensive lineman Nicholas Kaczur was arrested in April on a charge of illegal possession of prescription painkillers. Following his arrest, Kaczur secretly cooperated with the DEA in a sting operation that resulted in the indictment of his alleged drug supplier. According to one news article, Kaczur was busted for purchasing oxycodone illegally from a Massachusetts man identified as Daniel Ekasala.

The number of people that get in trouble for trying to get this drug is clearly a testament to how powerfully addictive it is. Of course, I can’t help but wonder how athletes like football players can stay in the game when they are all dosed up on painkillers. And did they start taking painkillers because of injuries received during play, or was it an already existing habit? Either way, it’s sad that a prescription drug can ruin someone’s athletic career in one fell swoop.