As anyone who has ever faced a drug charge related to the possession of methamphetamines can likely attest, the charges need to be taken seriously. This is because of the harsh penalties that could accompany a conviction. These penalties include:
- Jail time.
- Significant fines.
- A criminal record.
With the serious impact potentially tied to the drug many may wonder what prompts someone to take the drug in the first place. A study recently conducted in Canada, and published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, may shed some light on the matter. The study, which focused on teenagers specifically, was funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research Team Grant in Traumatic Brain Injury and Violence and the Ontario Neurotrama Foundation.
After interviewing a total of 6,383 high school students in Ontario, the researchers determined that traumatic brain injury played a role in the likelihood of students between the grades of 9 and 12, using crystal meth. More specifically, they were two to four times more likely to engage in the activity than those who had not suffered a TBI.
Brain injuries are considered to be traumatic in nature if they result in the injured person having to stay overnight in the hospital or falling into unconsciousness for a minimum of five minutes.
Understanding the link between the two could lead to parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their teens following such an incident.
Regardless of the reason behind a methamphetamine possession charge, or the age of the person facing it, it is important to take steps to mount an aggressive defence. The best way to do this is to work with a criminal defence lawyer.
Source: Medical Daily, “Crystal Meth Use Highest Among Teens Who Have History Of Concussions And Traumatic Brain Injury,” Dana Dovey, Nov. 26, 2014
