IN an attempt to combat the growing problem in the region, a prevention group is urging Muswellbrook residents to join the “ice fight”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And, the organisation hopes locals can “get the message out” before it’s too late.
Icefight, which targets about 100 towns and cities in Australia and New Zealand, is now turning its attention to the Upper Hunter, according to online coordinator Stephen Whale.
“I’ve received several messages, stating ice addiction is rampant in parts of Muswellbrook and surrounding areas,” he said.
“We are looking for volunteers to take up the struggle against insane drug-fuelled lunacy.
“Icefight is set up to educate all in the community about the addictive nature of methamphetamines – and to help people make informed choice to abstain from beginning smoking, ingesting or injecting ice or methamphetamine.
“We’re encouraging action and discussion.
“As far as I’m aware, it’s never been tried before.
“Several people have hosted forums, and the like, but there is a need to also ‘follow up’, which has been lacking in the past.”
Mr Whale said data from the National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) indicated there had been a consistent rise in the number of regular and dependent users since 2010.
“The number of regular users has almost tripled from 90,000 in 2009-10 to 268,000 in 2013-2014,” he told the Chronicle.
“These figures provide us with the first quantitative estimate of the scale of the problem of methamphetamine use in Australia.
“This increase in use has been most concentrated in users aged 15-24 and 25-34.
“Dependent use has doubled in both of these groups.”
While there appears to be a lot of networking in regards to the subject, Mr Whale admitted Icefight centred on prevention and education.
“Our program provides factual information about drugs and their effects through targeted education and also mass media campaigns, such as Icefight Muswellbrook and Icefight Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
“As the Icefight Facebook and in-person groups grow around Australasia and people share about this problem, we believe ignorance and mistakes to first try the drug will lessen.
“So, we’re asking others to join and share posts about how to avoid the temptation to try ice.
“People can also print posters from these pages, and post on shop windows and community spots.
“That’s when things start to happen.”
Join Icefight Muswellbrook or Icefight Australia and New Zealand on Facebook or, alternatively, visit icefight.com.au