MDMA overdose leads to possession charge

Dustin George Morgan, 18, of Braemar, appeared before Goulburn Local Court on August 11. He pleaded guilty to possession of 0.5 grams of MDMA and driving a motor vehicle with a suspended licence.

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Solicitor Sam Rowland said Morgan was hospitalised after an overdose of MDMA "shortly before" the possession offence. He said the drugs found by police were "remnant of that overdose".

Mr Rowland told the court his client had previously taken MDMA "socially" but had not used the drug since hospitalisation.

He argued his client had driven while disqualified due to "fear and embarrassment about disclosing his loss of licence to his mother and employer".

Mr Rowland said Morgan "knew he had done the wrong thing" and was "working up the confidence to tell them" his licence was disqualified.

He argued it was "immaturity grounding the offence not malice".

The solicitor told the court Morgan was employed as an apprentice plumber and was currently catching a taxi to and from work which cost $60 per day.

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie told the court that on May 25 police pulled over Morgan. She said the accused told police he had a small amount of a drug in his wallet and made full admissions.

She said Morgan knew the impact of drugs "better than many people".

"As a coroner I have written reports about people who have died of a drug overdose."

The drug possession charge was dismissed. Morgan was fined $600 and disqualified for a further three months for driving while suspended.

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