Pubdate: Sun, 07 Jul 2013
Source: Fraser Coast Chronicle (Australia)
Copyright: APN News & Media Ltd 2013
Contact: http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/contact/feedback/
Website: http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5381
Author: Carlie Walker

TRAGIC HISTORY NO EXCUSE FOR DRUGS: MAGISTRATE

A WOMAN who turned to smoking marijuana after a series of tragedies
has been warned by magistrate Graeme Tatnell to stop using the drug.

Lorraine Skarpona, 50, was charged with possessing dangerous drugs
after police raided her Urangan home on April 23.

The police searched her room before finding a black bag that had "a
strong smell of cannabis," police prosecutor Michael Quirk said.
Skarpona opened a zipped section of the bag, 31.7g of the drug was
found.

Skarpona told police she didn't know how it got there.

Skarpona was completing drug diversion when the fresh charge was
laid.

Her lawyer said a series of tragic events had affected Skarpona's life
and caused her to turn to using marijuana as a form of
self-medication.

Skarpona had been diagnosed with sclerosis of the spine, the court
heard.

She was one of 13 children and cared for her younger siblings after
their father was hit by a train when she was 15, leaving him with
spinal injuries.

Skarpona's daughter had been employed at the IGA in Pialba when a car
crashed through the glass window.

On the same day her son had an accident at work with a concrete saw
that cut deeply into his leg.

Another of her children had been involved in a car accident in which a
person had been killed, the court heard.

A psychiatric report submitted to the court revealed Skarpona was
suffering from a major depressive disorder.

"You've made your point," Mr Tatnell said.

Mr Tatnell told Skarpona that he accepted that she had major health
problems, but told her that was no excuse.

She was fined $500 and no conviction was recorded
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