Dandenong court hears Pakenham biker blame his heart medication for recording a positive to drugs
A BIKER blamed his heart medication for recording a positive to ice while out on a country ride, a court has heard.
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A BIKER blamed his heart medication for recording a positive to ice while out on a country ride, a court has heard.
Kenneth Robert Dow pleaded guilty to drug-driving at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on February 22.
The court heard the Pakenham man was on his Harley on his way to Mildura on February 11 last year when he was pulled over by the police.
He then tested positive for methamphetamine, or ice.
His defence lawyer told the court Dow had a triple-bypass after a massive heart attack some years earlier, and was taking a range of medications.
She said he believed the positive result was due to some of the ingredients in his treatments, as he never consumed ice, she said.
She said a Google search did indicate that some prescribed medication could contain ingredients that may be similar to amphetamine-type molecules, and they may have contributed to a false positive.
But she said Dow could not afford the expensive testimony of a specialist scientist to provide evidence to perhaps contest the reading, so he would plead guilty and take a ban.
She said the man, who worked for a sheet metal company, would try and get non-driving work in the yard over the ban period, and use Uber and taxis to get around.
Magistrate Barry Schultz placed Dow on a 12 month good behaviour bond, and convicted him.
His licence was suspended for six months.