California IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Heart Patient Used Drug, Friend Says

Randy Wall, a construction worker given a second chance at life in a heart transplant operation a year ago, frequently abused illegal “crank” methamphetamine before his recent death, a television station reported. Two of Wall’s friends told KCRA-TV that the 25-year-old Sacramento man continued to use the cheap cocaine substitute--which accelerates the heartbeat and elevates blood pressure--after receiving a new heart in February, 1989. Shellie Braun, who says she used drugs with Wall, said she saw him use crank “six or seven” times since his transplant operation. “I said, ‘Oh well, didn’t someone donate their heart to give you extra time in life?’ He said, ‘Yes, but I’m controlling it,’ ” Braun said.