‘The damage is done’: Judge sentences man who used drugs since thirteen

A judge has lamented a man’s journey from teen marijuana use to a significant meth, highlighting a disturbing link to mental health.

“The damage has already been done.”

With those words Justice Michael Copley sentenced a Gladstone man for possessing 9.135 grams of pure methamphetamines in 11.9 grams of substance after learning he was diagnosed with schizophrenia two years ago and had been using drugs since childhood.

Dallas John McGrath, 30, was sentenced in the Supreme Court in Rockhampton where he pleaded guilty to one count of possessing more than two grams of a schedule one drug.

Justice Copley said the material provided showed McGrath had been consuming marijuana since he was 13.

He said there had been literature available for the past 30-40 years on the topic of marijuana leading to schizophrenia.

Justice Copley said police had attended McGrath’s address in New Auckland, Gladstone, to speak to him about an unrelated matter and when they arrested him, they searched him before placing him in a police vehicle.

Police uncovered the meth stored in clip-seal bags inside a cigarette box which had been in his short’s pocket.

“McGrath) told the police falsely that (he) didn’t know what it was,” Justice Copley said.

Crown prosecutor Joshua Phillips said McGrath had a “handful” of drug convictions on his criminal history.

Defence barrister Maree Willey provided the court with documents outlining McGrath’s drug rehabilitation efforts.

The court also heard McGrath’s criminal record included a conviction in 2019 for producing dangerous drugs.

Justice Copley sentenced McGrath for the possession of 9.135 grams of meth to 18-months prison with 160 days presentence custody declared as time already served and immediate release on parole.

Originally published as ‘The damage is done’: Judge sentences man who used drugs since thirteen