Ray Hadley Responds To Arrest Of Son, Daniel Hadley, After Cocaine Charges

2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley has publicly responded to the arrest of his son, Daniel Hadley, revealing Daniel’s battle with a mental health illness.

Daniel, a senior constable with the North West Metropolitan Region, was charged with drug possession after allegedly attempting to buy cocaine from a dealer at the Australian Hotel and Brewery in Rouse Hill, Sydney yesterday.

The 28-year-old was off duty at the time.

Daniel was arrested in possession of 0.79 of a gram of cocaine, worth around $200.

In his statement an emotional Hadley said that when he was first told of the incident he was both “angry and perplexed.”

“I had no idea my son, a respected police officer would be involved in such a matter. I brought Daniel back home and my anger turned to shock and sadness.

“My son, during long conversations later that night and early in the morning revealed he’s been battling mental health issues for quite some time. He’s also been away from work for months, having dislocated his knee.

The “serious nature of the illness is such that he has been admitted to a clinic to deal with it.”

Hadley described the illness as a “very serious problem”.

“Now, we’re hopeful and we pray that with expert medical advice, he can recover from where he is now.”

“So far as the criminal charges are concerned, that is a matter for the courts and police. I would appeal to everyone to consider that things my son has dealt with over the past eight years as a police officer has obviously had a traumatic impact on him.

Hadley said the most difficult part for him as Daniel’s father was to think he was okay and coping.

“I now know how many parents feel when they think things are okay but they’re not. I feel particularly inadequate as a father and as a spokesman for ‘R U OK? Day, when in fact my own son is not okay.

“Now I know there is particular interest in this because of me but I’ll be making no further public comments on the matter and I hope everyone gathered, everyone watching understands why. I want to particularly thank my friends, my family and many of my media colleagues for offering their support to Daniel. And I want everyone to understand he’s not a public figure. But unfortunately for him, I am, hence today’s gathering.

“This is going to be a long and slow process for my son. I love him dearly, and I wish to God he had come to me before to tell me what had been happening.”

The 63-year-old then thanked the media for their attendance and did not take questions.

Daniel Hadley has been granted conditional bail. He will appear before Paramatta Local Court on September 12. 

You can watch Hadley’s full statement via radioinfo.com.au, below:

If you are seeking information or support for addiction, please contact the National Alcohol and Other Drugs hotline on 1800 250 015. 

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