Poppy plant injection brings fine

Press, 20 January 1982, Page 5

Poppy plant injection brings fine

A man who injected himself with poppy plant fluid was given a deterrent fine of $2OO for a breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act in the District Court vesterdav.

Judge Pain warned Bruce Phillip Davies, aged 24. a gardener, that he was playing with his own life.

Davies was convicted on a charge of having three needles and a syringe on December 30.

Sergeant G. G. Cleland said that the police had arrived at Davies residence to find the items on a kitchen table with the draining heads ~of a poppy plant.

Counsel (Mr M. J. Glue) said that when police arrived Davies' arm was swollen and he was experiencing pain and nausea. The experience was unpleasant and he had no intention of repeating it. Davies had only acquired the equipment two days previously. The Judge pointed out that the offence was not an isolated one as Davies had a

previous drugs related conviction for the possession of a pipe in Australia. DRUG OFFENCES A baker's labourer, aged 18. was warned by the Judge that pt'ople who have needles and syringes in their possession are getting down to the depths of drug activity. Phillip Ira Clark was convicted on a charge of having three needles and two syringes on December 30 for the purpose of an offence against the Misuse of Drugs Act. Clark was fined $l5O. Sergeant Cleland said that the items had been concealed in a thermos at the defendant's place of work. Counsel (Mr M. J. Glue) said Clark had no previous involvement with drugs but had been motivated by curiosity. He had intended to discard the items two weeks previously, after they had been last’ used. The defendant had lost the job he had held for the last two years as a result of the inquiry.