Mystic Oil
Registered User
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- 130
I know that this topic has been raised here before, but please bear with me. I have searched the archives, but have failed to find the information that I'm looking for.
Background
A good friend of mine phoned today, very upset because his son was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs this morning. The lad was driving his car last year when he "blacked out" and crashed. Luckily it was a minor accident - neither he nor anybody else was hurt, although the car was damaged beyond economical repair. Following a trip to the hospital, a blood sample was taken. The son was subsequently diagnosed as suffering from epilepsy.
Fast forward three months, and a summons arrives for the son, charging him with driving under the influence of drugs.
The case finally ended up in court today, and the solicitor entered a guilty plea (with mitigation etc. etc.). The lad has been banned from driving for four years and fined €500.
I know this young man, and I believe him when he says that he didn't knowingly take anything illegal.
My friend has been told this evening that there are a large number of (legal, medicinal) drugs that can show up as a trace in blood tests many weeks after ingestion. The legislation as it stands takes no account of this, nor does it allow for varying levels of such traces.
I have searched www.irishstatutebook.ie in vain for the "schedule" of proscribed substances.
Can anybody here point me in the right direction?
Background
A good friend of mine phoned today, very upset because his son was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs this morning. The lad was driving his car last year when he "blacked out" and crashed. Luckily it was a minor accident - neither he nor anybody else was hurt, although the car was damaged beyond economical repair. Following a trip to the hospital, a blood sample was taken. The son was subsequently diagnosed as suffering from epilepsy.
Fast forward three months, and a summons arrives for the son, charging him with driving under the influence of drugs.
The case finally ended up in court today, and the solicitor entered a guilty plea (with mitigation etc. etc.). The lad has been banned from driving for four years and fined €500.
I know this young man, and I believe him when he says that he didn't knowingly take anything illegal.
My friend has been told this evening that there are a large number of (legal, medicinal) drugs that can show up as a trace in blood tests many weeks after ingestion. The legislation as it stands takes no account of this, nor does it allow for varying levels of such traces.
I have searched www.irishstatutebook.ie in vain for the "schedule" of proscribed substances.
Can anybody here point me in the right direction?