Methamphetamine and Georgia DUI

A Georgia DUI can be based on a person's use of Methamphetamine, commonly called "meth." Meth is a serious and illegal drug, one that significantly affects a person's ability to drive. These effects can lead to an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs, a charge that carries possible jail time, high fines, and suspension of your right to drive.

If you or someone you care for has been arrested for DUI in Georgia, an experienced Georgia DUI defense attorney is here to present defenses to protect your constitutional rights.

What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a stimulant drug similar to amphetamine. It is a very strong and highly addictive drug with no legal use in the United States. It affects the central nervous system in a variety of ways.

It is made with the active ingredient pseudophedrine, which is found in cold medicines and decongestants. The ingredient is now highly regulated, and records are kept of those who buy products with pseudophedrine in them.

It typically looks like crystals or glass fragments that are:

• Shiny,
• Clear, and
• Bluish-white.

Methamphetamine may also be found in pill form.

How is Meth Typically Used?

Meth is used in many different ways, specifically by:

• Inhaling,
• Smoking,
• Swallowing in the form of a pill,
• Snorting, or
• Injecting a powder which was dissolved in water or alcohol.

Meth typically has a quick "high," meaning the rise and fall of the resultant feelings comes and goes quickly. As a result, users tend to take repeated doses, often giving up hours or even days at a time. These repeated and often constant small doses can seriously affect a person's ability to safely operate a vehicle.

How Does Meth Affect a Person's Ability to Drive?

There are significant side effects to the use of meth that can have an impact on a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. As a result, it is common for meth users to be arrested for a Georgia DUI. Meth can

• Cause feelings of anxiety, suspicion, and confusion;
• Affect sleep, resulting in sudden "crashes" while driving;
• Cause hallucinations;
• Cause a person to pass out;
• Increase blood pressure, leading to heart attack;
• Lead to overdose and subsequent sudden death;
• Reduce ability to control a person's own impulses; and
• Decrease reaction time or cause over-reactions to trivial stimuli.

Meth's other side effects make it likely that a Georgia police officer will detect meth usage even before taking a blood or urine test. These side effects include:

• Poor grooming or hygiene;
• Obsessive picking of the hair or skin;
• Dilated pupils and erratic eye movement;
• Jerky, erratic movements of the body and limbs;
• Facial ticks or twitches; and
• Psychotic behavior (including talking to no one).

Consult a Georgia DUI Defense Attorney

An arrest for a Georgia DUI as the result of meth is a serious offense. As a result of a conviction, you face high fines, jail time, and the loss of your driver's license. However, just because you are charged with a crime does not mean that you are guilty, even if the Georgia prosecutor treats you like you are.

You have the right to present defenses to protect your freedoms. An experienced Georgia DUI defense attorney can defend your case to protect your rights. Contact us today.