Periodic detention on drug charges

Press, 3 August 1985, Page 5

Periodic detention on drug charges

Garry Clifford Scott, aged 24, a sickness beneficiary was sentenced by Mr Justice Heron in the High Court yesterday to five months periodic detention on a charge of producing a class B controlled drug, morphine, and to five months periodic detention on a charge of possessing instruments for the manufacture of the drug. The terms are to be served concurrent-

lyScott was found guilty on the producing charge by a jury in the High Court last month after pleading not guilty. He was also found guilty in the District Court last month of possessing utensils for the manufacture of drugs.

Mr W. Rosenberg, for Scott, said that the manufacturing offence involved the mere cooking of a poppy plant in a very amateurish fashion and the amount of morphine produced was minimal. If opium was produced it was only a trace.

Scott had been taught a lesson and had rid himself of the drug habit. The utensils were four spoons and a needle. There was nc syringe, and the evidence showed that Scott actually drank the drug.

His Honour said that this was not a case of manufacturing morphine by the homebake procedure, which required a great deal of material and chemical

equipment. “The drug you were crudely attempting to produce was for your own use and the merest amount was produced. It is significant that the charge dealt with by the jury occurred on November 22, 1984, and you presented yourself to the Alcohol and Drug Centre on December 13,” said his Honour. The Court of Appeal had said that only in special circumstances should offenders on these charges be sentenced to anything less than imprisonment, but this was such a case of special circumstances, said his Honour. Mr R. E. Neave appeared for the Crown.