Meth-addicted Zachary James Smith pleads guilty to supplying drugs

A young father has blamed his drug dealing on his alcoholic mother – saying as their relationship soured during the Covid-19 pandemic his “recreational” cocaine use turned into a fully fledged meth addiction. NAME, DETAILS.

Meth addicted Zachary James Smith pleads guilty to supplying drugs. Picture - istock.

A young father has blamed his drug dealing on his alcoholic mother – saying as their relationship soured during the Covid-19 pandemic his “recreational” cocaine use turned into a fully fledged meth addiction.

Zachary James Smith, 30, of Caloundra, pleaded guilty to six charges of supplying dangerous drugs and one charge of possessing anything used in the commission of crime at Maroochydore District Court on Thursday, November 14.

Prosecution told the court Smith supplied meth on December 5, 2021, on January 23, 2022, on March 17, 2022, on March 21, 2022, and on March 23, 2022.

The court heard Smith also supplied cocaine on March 12, 2022 and then on April 24, 2022, he used his mobile phone to supply drugs (cocaine, meth, and MDMA) at Battery Hill.

His barrister, Jade-Ann Reeves, told the court her client had a good childhood but was raised by a single mother.

“She was an alcoholic,” Ms Reeves said.

Ms Reeves told the court Smith finished grade 12, worked at IGA Maleny for five years, then at Coles for four years.

She said Smith was studying a diploma of sports and fitness but stopped in 2020 when his drug use started.

His sister was helping him care for their alcoholic mother, but when she moved away his relationship with his mother soured.

Ms Reeves told the court her client used cocaine “recreationally”.

Judge Glen Cash disagreed with her, stating it couldn’t possibly be recreational if it was a crime.

Meth addicted Zachary James Smith pleads guilty to supplying drugs. Picture - file.

Ms Reeves said she only meant he used it “time to time” and “wasn’t yet addicted”.

She said during the Covid-19 pandemic as things got worse with his mother and his mental health suffered – cocaine was harder to come by and more expensive, so her client tried meth.

She said he was soon addicted.

Ms Reeves told the court Smith had engaged with drug and alcohol counselling but no proof of this was tabled in court.

“He said he went to six or seven sessions,” she said.

“He’s motivated to keep attending.”

Ms Reeves said Smith had a one-year-old daughter and another baby on the way. He lived with his partner of two-and-a-half years at Caloundra.

“He wants to move forward, put this behind him and be a good father,” she said.

The court heard Smith currently worked “cash jobs” as a landscaper for a mate but planned to find full time work in retail.

Ms Reeves told the court Smith said he wasn’t using drugs currently. There were no mentions of drug tests proving this and no evidence tabled in court.

She noted he has had “relapses” with his drug addiction.

The court heard Smith spent 150 days in custody for other offences and had been back in the community for 16 weeks.

“The impression I have of him is that he’s a drug addict,” Judge Cash told the court.

“Even when under control it's always lurking there inside of you.

“It is up to you to stay sober and not relapse.

“You will be on the radar for local police.”

Judge Cash sentenced him to 150 days imprisonment already served with immediate release.