The effect of d-methamphetamine on simulated driving performance

[Chip (OP)]

I am preparing my own defense for being caught driving under the influence of Meth and it's a very biased misleading charge sheet. I am facing a 3-6 month license suspension and up to an $1,100 fine.

This is part of my defense, as I stated earlier.

source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22389077

The effect of d-methamphetamine on simulated driving performance

Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
Methamphetamine is considered to be one of the most popularly abused drugs by drivers; however, its exact effect on driving and driving behaviour has yet to be thoroughly investigated. This being despite methamphetamine's increased prevalence in injured and deceased drivers.

METHODS:
Twenty healthy recreational illicit stimulant users (10 male and 10 female), aged between 21 and 32 years (mean = 25.4 years, SD = 3.3 years) attended two testing sessions involving oral consumption of 0.42 mg/kg d-methamphetamine or a matching placebo. The drug administration was counter-balanced, double-blind, and medically supervised. At each session driving, performance was assessed 2.5 h post drug administration.

RESULTS:
d-methamphetamine (0.42 mg/kg) did not significantly impair overall simulated driving performance 2.5 h post drug administration. At the individual driving variable level, participants in the d-methamphetamine condition were observed to be driving slower when an emergency situation occurred (T = 44, p < 0.05), but interestingly, participants in both conditions recorded average speeds in excess of the speed limit (100 km/h) when the emergency situations occurred. The d-methamphetamine condition did also produce four times more infringements where participants did not stop at red traffic light in comparison to the placebo, but this effect was only evident at a trend level (T = 7, p = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS:
The findings presented herein suggest that d-methamphetamine administered at the levels supplied did not impair driving performance in a manner consistent with epidemiological evidence. Further research is certainly required to elucidate the effects of various doses of methamphetamine, alone and in combination with other legal and illicit substances.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Joseph Hopeless]

When you say you're preparing your own defense, you aren't gonna try to represent yourself are you? If you were, don't; get a lawyer even a public pretender is better than trying to represent yourself..Regardless best of luck, you'll be good regardless. Worst case is 1100 dollar fine and a 6 month suspension on your license? Shit, in the states you'd probably be looking at 6 months in jail at the least. Keep posting how it goes though, I'd be interested if you didn't mind.

[Chip (OP)]

Actually, the worse case scenario is far more serious - i could get be a custodial sentence.

Thanks Joseph Hopeless for the encouragement to seek free public legal aid - i am going to apply for it tomorrow as I can't afford to pay a lawyer.

[Chip (OP)]

Joseph Hopeless, they adjourned me for 8 weeks whilst I complete a Traffic Offenders Intervention Program.

This is making me optimistic plus I have a new rule and that is to not drive with 48 hours of using a drug like Meth.

I am also trialling a counselling session or few as it's interesting that they want you to get to the point of controlling the drug and not the drug controlling you.

Stay tuned ...

[Joseph Hopeless]

Word up, you're so lucky though to be in Australia though man. In the states they'd probably give you a bunch of probation or at least 6 months or so in jail for a simple possession charge. I know you said you could get a custodial sentence still(not to be an idiot, but that means jail time, right?), but believe me y'all got it way better over there than we do with our shitty drug laws. So you go back to court in 8 weeks while you finish a "traffic offenders intervention program"? WTF even is that, and how long is that supposed to take anyways? And are the counselling sessions mandatory or are you doing that for yourself and/or to look better when you go back to court? Regardless, I think you'll be totally straight man, I definitely wouldn't stress it in the slightest. Oh, and yeah I'd try and follow your new rule about driving and meth. Probably a good idea. Your prices are so damn nutty over there though man, isn't it 50 AUD(what would that be in American dollars?) for like..a point of meth?

Keep this updated for sure though man, I for one am pretty invested in how this thing turns out, best of luck.

[Chip (OP)]

Thanks.

I now know that i won't be doing a custodial (yes, lock up) sentence and the course is a 2 night study about road rules, i expect.

It does sound less heavy over here, agree.

And yes, we pay crazy prices for drugs; you are correct on the price.

I will keep you updated and thanks for your interest.


Post Merged: October 02, 2019, 08:54:25 AMI just found this resource for Australian drivers at https://adf.org.au/insights/roadside-drug-testing/

How long can the drugs be detected ?

Whether or not you have a positive test will depend on a number of factors: the size and potency of the dose, other drugs you may have used at the same time, and your body's metabolism.

Cannabis: Random roadside drug testing can detect THC (the active ingredient in cannabis) for at least several hours after use. The test cannot generally detect use in previous days or weeks, although there have been reported cases of people testing positive to cannabis a few days after consuming.

Methamphetamine (‘speed’, ‘ice’): may be detected for approximately 24 hours after use. When withdrawing or coming down from methamphetamine, people can experience fatigue, anxiety and irritability.

MDMA (‘ecstasy’): may be detected for approximately 24 hours after use.

Medications: If you’re taking medication it’s best to talk to your doctor about the combined impact on your ability to drive.

Most drugs take 24 to 48 hours to leave your body and will continue to affect you during this time. Combinations of drugs can take even longer.

Avoid driving when you’ve been using alcohol or other drugs. Even if you feel okay to drive, you can still be affected and unsafe on the roads.

[Chip (OP)]

Some data on drug and testing

[Chip (OP)]

Joseph Hopeless, here is what the court ruled after suggesting that i do a Traffic Offenders Intensive Program during my adjournment:

I was given a 12 month good behaviour bond (no fine, no loss of license) and no conviction was recorded 

I did end up representing myself; i pleaded guilty as an earlier legal aid advice suggested that I do plus i had two commendable character references.

Why ? Because I had a excellent driving record, would like to travel and perhaps do volunteer work and I need to visit my 93-old mother.

However, one slip-up from me and it's all going to come crashing down so i have to be extremely careful and sensible from here on in.

All in all, far better than i expected as it was the best possible outcome (and ya can't beat that  )

I have always trusted our judiciary and my faith in "the machine" has been restored in good old Aussieland.

[Chip (OP)]

what it is like where you are ?

how much time do you not drive for after using (opiates/stimulants etc.)?