ASTON
ICE
REPORT
A report on how to tackle the ice epidemic locally and
nationally based on feedback from Knox residents
September 2015
Hon Alan Tudge MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR ASTON
Australia is in the midst of an ice epidemic. Every state and local government area is
affected, with ice destroying the lives of young people and families across the country.
Unfortunately, Knox is not immune.
Nationally, the number of users has doubled since 2010 and they are taking the drug
more frequently. Ice now causes more deaths on our roads than alcohol.
According to Victorian Crime Statistics Agency, one of the biggest problem areas in
the outer east of Melbourne is the Knox municipality (which coincides broadly with
the boundaries of Aston). The number of methamphetamine offences in Knox has
increased 13 fold in the last five years. More than one in five drug offences in Knox are
now due to ice.
Following the Federal Government’s announcement of a National Ice Action Strategy, I
asked for feedback and ideas from local residents in my electorate of Aston about how
to best tackle the ice epidemic.
I have received emails, calls, letters and posts on social media from hundreds of local
residents. In addition, I held an Ice Public Forum in Rowville in mid-July 2015 attended
by over 140 locals and including representatives from every police station in Knox,
together with local social and health workers and the Federal Minister for Justice, Hon
Michael Keenan MP.
Many who have commented have experienced the effects of ice directly or indirectly
through a family member.
This Aston Ice Report is an effort to capture the feedback I have received. I have
presented the report according to the most common themes that have emerged. Of
course, not every comment or idea can be captured (and some are contradictory),
but I try to present the most common views accurately. The report includes individual
comments received, although for privacy reasons, names have been withheld. Their
stories and personal experiences remain as real and unedited as possible.
Collectively, the feedback I have received represents a plan of action for tackling the
epidemic locally and nationally.
The Federal Government has already taken significant action to tackle the ice epidemic
including providing the National Crime Commission a further $18 million and the
development of some graphic ads on TV warning of the dangers of the drug.
But tackling ice will be most effective if it is a community effort. We can tackle ice if we
work together across governments, community groups, schools and families with a
coordinated approach.
My ambition is that this Aston Ice Report can go some way to helping shape the
national and local response to the ice epidemic.
HON ALAN TUDGE MP
SUMMARY OF
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Focus on preventing people ever taking drugs
We must focus on prevention as the top priority. That is, to do everything we can to
ensure that no one takes up drugs in the first place. Four actions are suggested:
•
•
•
•
Early education with a strong message about the dangers of any drug use
Hard-hitting public campaigns similar to the anti-smoking campaign
Support parents to talk about drugs
Don’t portray drugs as ‘cool’ on TV and in media
2. Crack down harder on suppliers of ice
Any strategy to tackle ice has to work on the supply of the substance. Without a
supply, there is no drug taking. There were a number of specific ideas suggested to
reduce the supply:
•
•
•
•
Stronger penalties for manufacturers and suppliers
Boost police services on the ground
Dob in a dealer campaign
Focus on drug hotspots, particularly certain nightspots
3. Additional funding for rehabilitation services to help
people get off drugs
More accessible and affordable assistance needs to be provided locally to help
people get off ice. This might consist of additional rehabilitation services as well as
post-rehab support such as narcotics-anonymous type of services.
4. Better support and information for parents of ice users
There is a need for services to support parents of users (or at least to make these
more broadly known). It was suggested that hotlines need to be established as well
as parent support groups so that they can discuss with others what strategies they
might employ. The need for local support groups was recognised.
5. Ongoing consultation with those affected
Ongoing consultation was required, particularly with those directly affected by ice,
to inform the ongoing adjustments to policy to tackle the ice epidemic.
3.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by Alan Tudge2.
Summary of Recommendations 3.
Table of Contents 4.
The Ice Epidemic
5.
1. What is Ice and what are the effects?
5.
2. The Prevalence Of The Ice Epidemic Nationally
6.
3. Ice In Knox8.
Local Community Feedback9.
1.
Focus On Preventing People Ever Taking Drugs
10.
2. Crack Down Harder On Suppliers Of Ice
16.
3. Additional Funding For Rehabilitation Services To Help
People Get Off Drugs 21.
4. Better Support And Information For Parents Of Ice Users
23.
5. Ongoing Consultation With Those Affected24.
Conclusion
4.
25.
THE ICE EPIDEMIC
1.
WHAT IS ICE AND WHAT ARE
THE EFFECTS?
Put simply, ice is methamphetamine in a crystalised form and so is also known as
‘crystal methamphetamine’. Methamphetamines are part of a broad group of drugs
called Amphetamine-type Stimulants which also includes drugs such as ecstasy.
These drugs can vary in form (such as powders or tablets) and have varying effects
on the body.
Ice is a particularly strong and addictive form of methamphetamine. It triggers a
rapid release of dopamine in the brain which causes users to experience a ‘rush’.
The increased levels of dopamine can last for several hours, depending on the dose,
with repeated use increasing the time the drug affects the body.
Ice is far more potent, far more dangerous, and far more addictive than any other
illegal drug. The Australian Crime Commission reports purity of methamphetamine
has tripled in some jurisdictions since 2010. Victoria has the highest levels of ice
purity in the nation, reaching 76% in 2012-13.1 By comparison, the purity levels of
heroin seized by Victoria Police was 18% during 2011/12.2
The effect of ice on the brain is rapid and destructive. Ice breaks down regular
pathways between neurons within the brain, hindering and often stopping ice users
from experiencing normal human compulsions such as hunger or tiredness.
Ice also causes a propensity to violence. We have seen a spike in attacks on primary
healthcare workers in emergency departments associated with the rapid increase
in ice usage. Police and emergency service workers have widely reported persons
affected by ice are particularly uncooperative and dangerous, expressing aggressive
and violent behaviour towards emergency service responders.
The medical consequences of ice use include:
•Addiction;
•Psychosis;
• Long-term mental health issues;
• Memory loss;
• Aggression; and
• Increased risk of stroke and heart failure.
1
2
Australian Crime Commission
S Cogger, P Dietze, B Lloyd., Victorian Drug Trends 2012. Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS)
5.
2. THE PREVALENCE OF THE ICE EPIDEMIC
NATIONALLY
The use of ice has grown rapidly in recent years. Both the numbers of users and the
frequency of use have increased sharply.
One of the most disturbing developments is that ice now causes more road fatalities than
alcohol. We have rightfully been concerned about drink driving for many years. How did
ice overtake alcohol as a bigger killer on our roads so quickly?
Consider the following national statistics:
• In 2013, around 1.3 million Australians aged 14 years and over had used meth/
amphetamines in their lifetime and 400,000 had done so in the previous 12 months.3
• The rate of ice use as the main form of drug among amphetamine users has
doubled from 22 per cent in 2010 to 50 per cent in 2013.4
• Those using ice are doing it more frequently, with people using at least monthly
doubling from 2010 to 2013, from 12 per cent to 25 per cent, to around 90,000
Australians aged 14 and over.5
• Australians use more methamphetamine than other countries, with 2.1 per cent
of the population reporting or estimated to use methamphetamines in the past 12
months. This is compared to 1.4 per cent across North America, 0.7 per cent in
Asia, and a global average estimate of 0.7 per cent.6
• For the first time in eight years, Victoria’s road toll increased, not decreased. Ice
affected fatalities overtook alcohol affected fatalities in 2013.7
• 78% of people testing positive for drugs roadside were ice users.8
• By weight, ice made up 59 per cent of all major illicit drug detection (excluding
precursors) at the Australian border in 2013-14.9
• In 2009, there was a total of 86 drug induced deaths in which ice was mentioned
among those aged 15-54 years. This compares with 82 deaths in 2008, 75 deaths in
2004 and 50 deaths in 2003.10
• In Victoria, the daily number of all amphetamine-related ambulance attendances in
2012/13 increased significantly compared with the previous year – 88% increase in
Melbourne and 198% in regional Victoria.11
6.
• More than 60% of Australia’s most significant organised criminal groups are
involved in the ice market.12
• Ice is a contributing factor in a quarter of all family violence.13
• Methamphetamine purity has risen in Victoria from approximately 20 per
cent in the 2010-11 reporting period to more than 76 per cent in the 2012-13
period.14
Main form of meth/amphetamine use in the past 12 months, for users aged 14 or older, 2007 to 2013 (per cent).15
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013
5
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013
6
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2014
7
Robert Hill, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner, 1 January 2015
8
Robert Hill, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner, 1 January 2015
9
Australian Crime Commission, Illicit Drug Data Report 2015
10
J Stafford and L Burns, Australian Drug Trends 2013. Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS)
11
Lloyd, B., Matthews, S., & Gao, C.X. (2014) Ambo Project – Alcohol and drug related ambulance attendances: Trends in alcohol and
drug related ambulance attendances in Victoria 2012/13.
12
Australian Crime Commission, Organised Crime in Australia, 2015
13
Maroondah Leader: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/health-service-reveals-as-many-calls-for-ice-addiction-as-alcoholaddiction/story-fnrwkhlp-1227444342633
14
Pennington Institute: Impacts of Methamphetamine in Victoria; Australian Crime Commission
15
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013
3
4
7.
3.
ICE IN KNOX
Unfortunately, Knox is not immune from the growing ice epidemic.
Local crime data from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency clearly shows the enormous
impact ice is having in Knox:16
• The number of methamphetamine offences in Knox increased 13 fold over the
last five years to 146 in 2014-15.
• The number offences for ice dealing and trafficking increased five fold in the last
five years. Last year, there were 54 offences for dealing and trafficking.
• In 2009-10, there was only one offence recorded for ice use or possession in
Knox. By 2014/15, that figure had exploded to 92.
• As a percentage of overall drug offences in Knox, ice has increased from around
3 per cent in 2009-10 to over 21 per cent in 2014-15 – meaning more than one in
five drug offences in Knox are now due to ice.
• There were 683 drug offences recorded in Knox last year—more than twice as
many as in Maroondah.
• From 2012 to 2014, thefts from motor vehicles have increased by 47 per cent,
fuelled by the need to steal to pay for ice addiction.
Of course, the statistics don’t capture the pain and trauma that ice can cause families
throughout the community. Many commented in their submissions that they had “lost”
their child through ice, even if their child came off the drug.
8.
16
Data, including tables, provided by the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency,
August 2015
LOCAL COMMUNITY
FEEDBACK
Following the Federal Government’s announcement of a National Ice Action Strategy, I
asked for feedback and ideas from local residents in my electorate of Aston about how
to best tackle the ice epidemic. My intent was to feed this feedback into the work of
the Taskforce and the Government’s actions. It would also assist in developing a local
strategy.
I have received emails, calls, letters and posts on social media from hundreds of local
residents that have come across families, or indeed from their own families, that have
suffered from the consequences of ice.
Following on from this call for feedback, I organised a local Ice Public Forum held in
Rowville in mid-July 2015. Representatives from every police station in Knox, together
with local social and health workers and the Federal Minister for Justice, Hon Michael
Keenan MP, heard from over 140 concerned locals about the effects of ice.
I have summarised community feedback received under the headings of a number of
key themes that emerged.
With hundreds of ideas and submissions received, the Report cannot capture every
single idea put forward by Knox residents. The Report has instead summarised
submissions into the most common themes across all submissions and included key
contributions under each heading.
For privacy reasons, names of the contributors have been withheld, the wording has
been kept as close as possible to exactly that provided in the first instance.
Residents have their say at the Knox Ice Pubic Forum, July 2015
9.
1.
FOCUS ON PREVENTING PEOPLE EVER
TAKING DRUGS
The strongest theme that has emerged from all the feedback is that we must focus
on prevention as the top priority. That is, to do everything we can to ensure that no
one takes up drugs in the first place. Two actions were most commonly suggested
(and they are detailed below): better education about the dangers of drugs; and the
introduction of hard-hitting campaigns similar to the smoking campaigns. The overall
objective should be cultural change in relation to drug use.
Many commented that the real dangers of drugs (and ice particularly) are not known
well enough by the general community. Further, there is an attitude amongst some
people that taking drugs is cool or what everyone does so it can’t be that harmful.
Even the names of “party drugs” or “recreational drugs” suggests that they are not
particularly harmful. This lack of understanding and attitude undoubtedly leads to a
greater usage of drugs from young people particularly.
The data backs this up. Fifty one percent of people say that they take up drugs for the
first time because of peer group pressure with 66 percent of people saying curiosity
was a factor.17 Only seven per cent say they take drugs for the first time because they
were feeling down.18
This suggests that we can do a lot more in changing cultural attitudes and preventing
people ever taking it up.
Common crysalised methamphetamine (ice)
17
18
10.
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013
a. Early education with a strong message about
the dangers of any drug use
The parents of current or former ice users all shared one common recommendation
from their experiences – educate young people early about the effects of drug use to
prevent them from making the choice to use drugs. This should occur in school and in
the wider community.
There is too little understanding of the devastating impacts of all illicit drug usage,
particularly ice usage.
There needs to be wider education about its dangers and it impacts. This should start
in secondary school but is also required in the broader community.
The overwhelming response from Knox residents supported increased education about
drugs. The comments below are illustrative of dozens of comments received along
these lines:
“We have a whole generation of children coming through who are likely future
victims. We need to get to these people immediately with an education program
so graphic it literally scares the pants off them.”
“Federal funding for a national drug program in all schools may go some way to
combatting these drugs in a much more preventative manner than a reactionary
approach like harsher sentencing laws.”
“I would like to see our kids better educated in school about the dangers of
drugs. No sugar coating, they need to see the horrific consequences of drug use
so they have a better understanding and can make better decisions.”
“Educating kids properly is mandatory in taking a step to reduce the number
of ice users. I’m in my second year out of high school so I know that kids are
educated on the effects of drugs, however it is not substantial. Definitely not
sufficient if we plan to end the epidemic. If the education given needs to be
graphic, then let it be graphic. The worse it appears to be, the higher chance of
people not becoming curious to try it.”
“I worry when my children go out. The High schools need to get more involved
also. Maybe bring in people who have had a drug problem so they can tell the
students how BAD DRUGS are. Something needs to be done NOW!!!!”
11.
b. Hard-hitting public campaigns similar to the
anti-smoking campaign
This is related to the first action item mentioned immediately above. Many Knox
residents pointed to the success of previous hard-hitting public campaigns which
highlighted the dangers of previously socially acceptable acts.
The key example provided was the ongoing anti-smoking campaign which has run in
Australia for many years now. As everyone knows, the campaign has involved graphic
ads, broad education, the elimination of advertising and a very clear message: smoking
kills and every single cigarette causes harm.
In large part due to this campaign, smoking rates in Australia have dramatically
dropped from one in four people (25 per cent) identifying as daily smokers in 1993 to
just over one in eight (12.8 per cent) by 2013.19
Australia now has one of the lowest smoking rates in the world.20
Anti-drink-driving and anti-speeding campaigns are similar examples of public
campaigns that have had a significant impact on changing behaviour.
In recent years, police and governments have focused on reducing the acceptability of
drink-driving. Major public campaigns and investments in detection equipment, such
as mobile ‘booze-busses’ has seen a significant reduction in alcohol as a factor in road
fatalities in the past three decades.21
In the five years to 1987, more than 110 motorists were killed each year with a Blood
Alcohol Content above 0.05. By the period 2008-12, this figure had dropped to 40
motorists per year.22
It is not viewed as ‘cool’ to drink-drive or speed on our roads, as it perhaps was in the
past.
Similar campaigns outlined by Knox residents included the global anti-HIV AIDS
campaigns in the 1980s and 1990s, and the education campaign around heroin use in
the late 1990s.
We need to do similar campaigns to these, focused on ice. The Government has
already started such a campaign and the evidence to date seems to be that it is already
having an impact.
19
20
21
22
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Transport Accident Commission Victoria
Transport Accident Commission Victoria
12.
“It is worth an advertising campaign along the lines of the grim reaper
ads for aids (not the total answer but maybe a start).”
“The word ‘recreational’ sends a wrong message.”
“There should be better ads on TV. I have on my Facebook ads which
are shown in America.”
“Kids need to know how they will lose their looks, especially girls.
This could be done in an ad between two girls saying they are sick of
looking pretty, and one saying “I have found this new drug, it will make
us lose our looks”. That might sound silly, but this drug is perceived as
the cool thing to do these days, and this should be shown in schools.”
“We need a campaign of ex drug and alcohol users who are ready
to have a conversation with these kids to understand them, motivate
them, tell them they deserve to love themselves and how life has only
just begun.”
Many residents suggest a national campaign based on the successful ‘Quit’ smoking campaign.
13.
c. Support parents to talk about drugs
The ice epidemic is not one that can be tackled by any one group, community or
government. In order to stop this insidious drug from ripping apart more families
and young people, our entire community including groups, individuals, schools
and all levels of government must work together to tackle ice together.
Importantly, parents need to talk about drugs with their kids. Materials could be
developed to help with this process.
“Teach parents for signs of addiction, teach kids at school on the effect of
drugs, implement community projects involving teenagers in charity and
other social activities to give them a purpose.”
“Parents have to be harder on their kids, and call the police any time they
think they are involved, as I made my sons life so hard for him, which I
think in the end is why he just gave up. I am about to call the police on my
daughter as well, although she will probably end up with a record also, small
price to pay though.”
“It is crucial that parents have access to funded support as it is the PARENTS
that are the most emotionally invested in wanting their ‘child’ to recover &
succeed in life- more than any institution. The parents/family are instrumental
in aiding the users recovery.”
“A healthy family is a healthy society.”
“I believe everything has to start at home and in the schools. Real, clear
information helps, maybe not everyone but a large percentage. Somebody
who is addicted doesn’t care about penalties. Information must start at the
beginning.”
14.
d.
Don’t portray drugs as ‘cool’ on TV
and in media
Young people are influenced by many things, including the entertainment industry.
We received feedback from many locals that often this industry will make out that
drugs are cool or harmless. They often show people snorting or smoking drugs in
a positive way.
In many circles of young people, ice is not commonly recognised as a ‘bad’ drug
or as having negative consequences. Many young people have remarked that ice
is seen as a ‘party drug’ or as a 'recreational' drug.
Changing this culture of acceptance of ice by youth is not impossible. Indeed,
many similar cultural changes in previously ‘normal' behaviours have occurred in
recent decades.
It was suggested that as much pressure should be brought upon our local media
industry particularly to not glorify drugs.
“Penalties for offenders would be good and stop calling them recreational
drugs. They are illegal and deadly!!!”
“This drug should be called the Ugly Drug, because that is what it does,
inside and out.”
“Look at the TV news every day; it’s full of drugs”
“They have to stop making drugs seem cool.”
15.
2.
CRACK DOWN HARDER ON SUPPLIERS OF ICE
"At the end of the day, it's WAY TOO EASY to get drugs". This was a view that
people shared, particularly young people. I have been told from younger adults
that drugs are easily available and almost ubiquitous in some places. People know
which venues are ones where drugs are regularly sold. They see it being sold and
taken.
Any strategy to tackle ice has to work on the supply of the substance. Without a
supply, there is no drug taking.
The overwhelming view from people who expressed their opinions to me is that
a much tougher stance is required in relation to manufacturers and dealers
particularly. There needs to be more rigorous policing and there needs to be
tougher penalties.
It is well known that bikie gangs are involved with the supply and distribution of ice.
While taking a stronger approach to eliminate supply was the majority view (and
the one that I strongly share), it was not universally shared. There were a range of
views expressed on dealing with the supply of ice from those who wanted a very
tough stance on manufacturers and dealers - even the death sentence - to those
who advocate the decriminalisation or legalising of drugs. This latter view rests on
the belief that the supply battle can never be won and that people would be safer if
they could buy drugs from regulated sources. It is not a view that I support.
Under the theme of "stopping the supply", there were a number of specific ideas
suggested:
16.
a. Stronger penalties for users, manufacturers
and suppliers
There were many who argued that the penalties for supplies and manufacturers are too
little given the destruction that drugs cause. This, combined with a perceived lack of
resources for widespread policing, means that drugs become very available.
Tougher penalties would create strong disincentives for people to manufacture or deal.
Even the smallest dealer should suffer a penalty commensurate with the damage he or she
is causing.
“At the end of the day, it’s WAY TO EASY to get drugs. Stop the fun, stop the
supply, stop the problems.”
“Stop the supply.”
“The fines and demerit points/disqualification periods need to be raised for those
detected with this stuff in their system. This forces the dangerous users off the
road. The fines raised go toward rehab programs saving the public purse some
money.”
“Thirdly the attack must be primarily directed and properly funded at preventing
the ICE from hitting the streets. We all know this is a great objective but no matter
what you do a lot will still get through. The penalties for ICE dealing should be
commensurate with the crime. These suppliers are effectively ruining the lives of so
many people with total disregard for the society. Surely this crime must receive huge
penalties not the soft penalties that apply today.”
“It’s the manufacturers of this drug who are the problem, and I believe most of the
government funding should be concentrated in this area, as it has to be stopped at
the beginning, as rehabilitation won’t work on most Ice addicts, and if the supply is
still there, there will be more and more rehab centres needed, which would be good
for their business, but won’t really work for Ice addicts.”
“The Police need to treat Users, Small Time Dealers and Big Time Dealers all the
same . All need severe penalties and the Police need to be allowed to do this . It
seems all the Government cares about is the big busts You can put on TV.”
“Perhaps it’s time we stopped saying ‘they cant help it they’re addicts’ and started
saying this behaviour has ramifications instead we as society always turn the other
way and say oh its the dealers fault we must punish them harder and sure why not
but the dealers wouldn’t have a job if people didn’t willingly and fearlessly explore
drugs knowing they’ll face no charges as long as they’re not caught with drugs on
them”
17.
b. Boost police services on the ground:
Following on from the Ice Public Forum held in Rowville in mid-July, many residents who
attended commented on the strong resolve of our local police forces in combatting the ice
epidemic in our community.
Local commanders from every police station in Knox attended the Forum, including Inspector
Therese Fitzgerald who is the local Commander in Knox and was a member of the expert
panel on the night.
Support for our police was almost universal among Knox residents who submitted their views
to this report. Almost all argued for increasing support for our local police, either through
increased resourcing or through implementing tougher laws to protect police from those
affected by ice.
The Federal Government has recently provided an additional $18 million to the National Crime
Commission to help tackle drug manufacturer and distribution.
“Stronger support for the police; tougher sentences from the judiciary!”
“If we need more jails then build them. If we need enforcement of the laws of this
country then enforce them. If we need more resource which everyone knows is
essential then get it. If we need to instruct magistrates to apply appropriate sentences
commensurate with the crimes then this starts with government.”
“The police have been overwhelmed and simply can’t cope with current resources. I
have spoken to many police and they claim they are under-resourced to cope with this
avalanche of problems. The same applies to courts who seem to spend most of their
energy issuing warnings rather than penalties. I thought taking illicit drugs was illegal;
why isn’t illegal behaviour punished? Look at the TV news every day; it’s full of drugs,
bashings, crime, road trauma that relate to a society that is clearly unwell. To say we
are making progress is a Pollyanna view.”
“Every police station needs specialist therapeutic workers attached not one per region
eg. Drug counsellors and MH workers working as a team in mobile response.”
“Police, ambos, drug treatment, family therapists, health workers need to work together
as a team to work out and find solutions to this issue at a local level.”
18.
“Maybe just get the police to check on Gumtree and other free-for-sale sites and
maybe arrest some dealers that are making it way too easy to sell their drugs. The
police need more funding to get the dealers and makers (cooks) off the street. ‘Task
force’ is overly used and this is bigger. They need a whole department that is statewide and linked in with other states and territories. They need to get on the front foot
and not just wait for the general public to give them the tip. The police do a fantastic
job. I have the upmost respect for them and their job. But we need to get real. ICE is
much worse of a drug than we have seen before. The drug problems and crisis’ that
we have had before are nothing to what this drug is doing to our community. Please
give them the extra funding to target the main threat of the dealers and cooks. What
it is doing to people and their day-to-day life is a health problem that needs to be
addressed. But first and foremost we must give the much needed funds to the police
so we have a chance at slowing this crisis down.”
c. Dob in a dealer campaign:
The police can be assisted by the broader community taking more immediate action
when they are made aware of a person who is selling drugs. One suggestion was for a
wider campaign encouraging people to “dob in a dealer”.
Young people who say that they see drugs everywhere no doubt know who is doing the
selling and distribution. They should be brought to justice but can only get justice if they
are reported to the police.
“Dob in a dealer project with great rewards that lead to convictions.”
“Ringwood area has a lot of local drug dealers who have stated the reason they do
it is to pay their rent. I can name and address a lower dealer who is only 18 years
old. I’ve tried crime stoppers but nothing seems to have happened. Makes us lose
confidence that no one cares.”
“I don’t know why they don’t have a national call in day “ dob in a drug lab” or
something like that?”
“Parents have to be harder on there kids, and call the police any time they think they
are involved.”
19.
d. Focus on drug hotspots, particularly certain nightspots
Many people wrote that there are well known drug hotspots in Melbourne, or indeed,
locally. One person said that everyone knew the particular nightclubs where drugs
are rife.
The suggestion is that police should gather this intelligence and focus on those
hotspots.
“I have seen and heard a lot of comments on how to tackle the issue of ice but
I have not seen anyone mention the entertainment industry. I have an events
company and have been running nightclubs and shows for over 15 years. The
problem has stemmed from a number of reasons in this industry. Firstly Alcohol
taxes are up and this means the young people going to clubs have resorted to
buying a pill or drugs so they can party for cheap. This is usually where kids get
introduced to drugs. Also a lot of nightclubs and festivals which cater to house/
trance/techno music genre have the highest number of young people on drugs.
I think if the government implemented a rule which meant that people can be
tested for drugs wherever and whenever instead of just while they are driving
would make a massive impact. Also police should be able to check all the people
entering the festivals and maybe security can drug test people coming into
nightclubs and be able to ban people from the venues. Everyone in the industry
knows which clubs or places have drugs on any given night yet no one has
target them. Also kids and young people need to have extra programs for e.g.:
sports, music activities so it keeps them busy and entertained. Programs run with
government support and community.”
“As an actual suggestion although ambitious technically speaking I believe it’s
possible now to enforce night clubs and pubs to submit guests to drug tests
at the door after dinner hours. If you shut down their ‘breeding grounds’ and
shutdown or severely punish venues who encourage the behaviour you’d isolate
the spread of new users in adults. Granted they can still take drugs once inside
the venues it does mean they can’t go to other venues later or if they’re ejected
which tends to be the case.”
20.
3.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR REHABILITATION
SERVICES TO HELP PEOPLE GET OFF DRUGS
Although many recommendations from Knox residents focused on preventative and
educational measures to stop the initial use of illicit drugs, many parents of ice users
raised concerns about rehabilitation services.
A key concern was a perceived lack of sufficient rehabilitation services available for
ice users who wished to enter a program to treat their addiction. Many raised long wait
times to access facilities and the large financial costs involved with services as factors
which prevented users and addicts from being able to stop using ice.
Many parents and families of former ice users also recommended changes to existing
services, such as expanding operating times and changing the practical operations of
some services to be more individually-targeted or holistic.
It is clear that people wanted the overall goal of rehabilitation to get people off drugs
altogether, not to help people use them more safely.
Some suggested compulsory rehabilitation, similar to what they do in Sweden.
Others suggested the need for the full suite of services, including detox, rehab as well
as post-rehab support such as narcotics-anonymous type of services.
“Surely a problem as big as this demands a major focus of Government.”
“I agree with education but for those who offend, rebab should be a lockup, not a
revolving door. Perhaps ‘sentencing’ offenders to at least 12 months in a secure
drug specific offenders unit might help. Addiction is very easy to fall back into. A
longer period with a holistic approach to repairing the minds and bodies of these
people needs to be thought about.”
“Our communities are in crisis. We need residential rehab places immediately for
those suffering addiction before you even consider any other issues. Do the sums,
how many addicts are in our prisons. Can we convert some of those prisons to
rehabs for anyone charged with drug-related crimes? It’s not going to cost society
any more to treat them for addiction rather than putting them in prisons with
criminals. In fact, it probably will cost less. We need to make rehab compulsory as
soon as they start to commit offences because by that stage they are well and truly
addicted and need to offend to support their habit. We should consider this a red
flag and act.”
“To start, we need centres for addicts that are open in their hours… not 9-5 but 7pm7am. We need a place they can go to get help when they need it.”
21.
“We are also among the many parents that have had to access retirement
savings to help our ice addicted son. There are just not enough residential rehabs
or support services to assist these people. There is a very small window of
opportunity to get our sons and daughters the help they need and it is pointless
waiting months to get into rehab and even 6-8 weeks to get an appointment for
counselling, they could be dead in this time frame.”
“For me the biggest thing to come out of that forum was the fact that some mothers
had had to resort to sending their sons to Asia for long-term drug treatment. That
is a sad indictment on our governments. One single mother says she spent all
she had on sending her son for six months to Asia and that he needed another six
months but unfortunately her finances would not allow for it. Our governments
should be hanging their heads in shame. The energy and feeling in that room
was palpable. People are desperate and they need help not talk. They need
rehabilitation centres funded (or at least partly funded) by governments. It costs
$20,000 minimum for private stay drug rehabs - this is out of reach for most
people. This situation is being played out daily all over Knox. Pretty much parents
and spouses have to just go away and deal with it on their own because there is
no funding. When the very fabric of our society is in turmoil, it’s time to make sure
that there is funding.”
“People are sending their loved ones inter state and to 3rd world countries for
rehab that is shameful for Victoria we can do better than that.”
“More access to rehabilitation for our kids that are getting hooked after just one
use.”
22.
4.
BETTER SUPPORT AND INFORMATION FOR
PARENTS OF ICE USERS
Some raised the issue of the need for services to support parents of users. There was
concerns raised that there was nowhere that parents or family members could go to
discuss with someone how to deal with an ice addict. Ice can completely change
someone’s personality and cause them to steal and be violent even against loved ones.
This can be very confronting for family members. How should they react? What should
they do? How do they best support their addicted loved-one? These things are not
openly discussed in our society and so the feeling of isolation and helplessness is often
felt.
To combat this, it was suggested that hotlines need to be established as well as parent
support groups so that they can discuss with others what strategies they might employ.
There are already some hotlines available, including ICE ADVICE, a new Victorian
Government initiative. Part of the effort must be to inform people of these services.
The need for local support groups was recognised.
“I can only emphasise the importance of the role of community sporting groups in
keeping the young & older involved and off the street in a controlled and disciplined
environment. Drugs are the scourge of modern society so it’s an issue for all to work
towards the best outcome.”
“This is being treated as an unfortunate social problem where the priority is helping
the poor unfortunate Ice addict or the poor violent criminal offender. What about the
victims; the wives, children, parents and the community in general? These are the
real victims not the offender who of their own volition chose to become addicts.”
“This problem became personal for me in 2014 when a son in law got hooked on
ICE. The ramifications of violence, anger management, and daughter and two
children having to flee the home, crime, threats, bankruptcy are just a smattering of
what is the result of this problem. We all know the victims then become the relatives
and friends and then ultimately the community at large.”
“What was instrumental in helping our family was contacting Anglicare and
partaking in a 5 week program for parents of drug users. Primarily we learned that
although we couldn’t make our daughter quit we could set boundaries and most
importantly we needed to maintain a relationship with our daughter so that when
she was ready to get help reaching out to us was not such a long bridge to cross. It
helped us see beyond the drug use & interact with love concern & compassion to
her as a person rather than with anger, hurt betrayal & disappointment, which is a
parents natural reaction, but would have pushed her further down & away from us.”
23.
5.
ONGOING CONSULTATION WITH
THOSE AFFECTED
There was a strong view that ongoing consultation was required, particularly with those
directly affected by ice, as to what works and what does not. This consultation should
inform the ongoing adjustments to policy to tackle the ice epidemic.
“You gotta get to the people out there, in those affected zones, talk to the people,
and then take action.”
“As a mother of an ice addict and prior speed habit since 2000, I think the
government needs to start looking and seeking information from the grass roots…
not the so called professionals but people who see the addiction and know how,
what, where and when.”
“Some serious analysis needs to be looked at including statistics vs past influences
of rises and falls in our country and abroad to get a better view of what helps and
what doesn’t.”
“Be sure to look into the ice affect on hospitals, i hear horror stories from my 55kg
wife about violent ice addicts coming in and in some cases throwing punches at
staff, their only protection is a sole security guard for the entire hospital. Nurses
shouldn’t have put up with that not too mention they are bogging down the
healthcare system and keeping sick people waiting for hours on end as there simply
arent enough beds.”
“Police, ambos, drug treatment, family therapists, health workers need to work
together as a team to work out and find solutions to this issue at a local level.”
24.
CONCLUSION
The feedback from the Knox community is clear – we must all take necessary action to
stop ice further ripping apart families and communities.
Hundreds of people have inputted into this report with constructive suggestions on
what more can be done. The report cannot capture every single idea, but it has tried
to be faithful in capturing the main themes.
There are very practical ideas that can be undertaken.
The good news is that ice can be addressed. There is good evidence from
campaigns in Australia and abroad that attitudes can change and that we can
prevent people from taking up drugs who might otherwise have been tempted. Good
rehabilitation can get people off drugs.
There appears to be a willingness for tougher action on suppliers, including
community assistance in alerting police to dealers.
All of these things can make a difference, but a whole community effort is most
effective.
25.
“I have written to you once before about two years ago regarding the Ice problem, as my 25yo son was
addicted to this. After much abuse, (mainly to himself), so much we’ve experienced, including having
my house robbed, debt collectors coming to the house, being pushed out of a car by my son, there is so
much more I could write a book about it, all the time knowing this was not the son I knew.
One year later after many phone calls to the police, and he has unfortunately ending up with a criminal
record, although this was a small price to pay, as he is now drug free, he has a full time job, a beautiful
girlfriend, and whenever he talks about that person who was on Ice, he refers to him as someone else,
he hates drugs, and is so regretful about how he treated me, although he treated himself worse than
anyone, I believe.
My nightmare is not over with this drug, my beautiful 20yo daughter is now addicted.
My son and daughter were both very hard working and decent people before they tried this drug, and
I never once blame them for the way this drug changed them, my son has come out of this a better
person, I now hope the same happens with my daughter.”
- MOTHER OF TWO ICE USERS IN KNOX
The Hon.
ALAN TUDGE MP
Federal Member for Aston