Life long drug addict managed to beat one of his addictions

A man in his 50s who has been addicted to drugs since he was 13 and has managed to overcome one addiction has been told he needs to ‘desist from using any drug’ or face longer prison terms.

A man in his 50s who has been addicted to drugs since he was 13 and has managed to overcome one addiction has been told he needs to ‘desist from using any drug’ or face longer prison terms.

Tony Manu Ahuriri, 54, pleaded guilty on June 17 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to two counts of possessing a dangerous drug, one possessing drug utensils, one possess a used syringe not safely disposed of, and one of driving unlicensed.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said Ahuriri was intercepted driving near the intersection of Matthew Flinders Drive and Scenic Highway at Yeppoon on August 8 about 1pm.

He said checks revealed Ahuriri had not held a Queensland drivers licence for “a very lengthy time”.

Sergeant Ongheen said Ahuriri admitted to police he knew it was an offence to drive without a licence.

He said police saw marijuana cigarettes in the car, searched the vehicle and found three joints in the driver’s door.

Sergeant Ongheen said police also located a back pack in the rear seat.

He said at the time of intercept, police had seen someone in the back seat moving around.

Sergeant Ongheen said Ahuriri told police the back pack was his.

He said police found uncapped syringe with 0.3ml of a clear substance Ahuriri claimed was speed, two small plastic containers containing 5.561g of a crystal substance, three marijuana joints and digital scales.

Sergeant Ongheen said Ahuriri told police he was on his way home after travelling south to source the speed.

Defence lawyer Joanne Madden said Ahuriri had “a long term involvement with drugs”.

She said he started using drugs when he was about 13 or 14 years old and has been a drug addict since that time.

“He was addicted to opiates at one point in time and was able to beat that addiction,” Ms Madden said.

She said he had attended rehabilitation services Lives Lived Well and Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Services.

Ms Madden said Ahuriri had worked mainly as a welder over the years, but was currently unemployed.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale sentenced Ahuriri to six months prison with parole release on August 17, 2021.

“You’ve been a drug addict all of your adult life,” she said.

“The court requires you to desist using drugs... repetition of offences will lead to more prison terms.”

Originally published as Life long drug addict managed to beat one of his addictions