Libs crack down hard on Tassie ice epidemic

PREMIER Will Hodgman yesterday outlined a twopronged approach to combat ice addiction in Tasmania.

Mr Hodgman said as well as cracking down on outlaw motorcycle gangs, which according to police intelligence were involved in the state’s illicit drug trade, a re-elected Liberal government would do more to help drug addicts.

“I was horrified to attend a COAG meeting some years ago, where I was told that Tasmania has one of the highest ice usages of any state. In fact we are now ranked number two,” Mr Hodgman said.

He said his government aimed to be tougher on drug pushers, but kinder to addicts.

“We will also do more to support vulnerable Tasmanians who have formed addictions and need help,’’ he said.

“That’s why in our health policy there is a $6 million commitment to open 30 new beds to treat addicts.”

Police and Emergency Minister Rene Hidding said by preventing outlaw motorcycle gang members from wearing insignia, the government aimed to chip away at outlaw motorcycle gangs’ capacity to get young Tasmanians involved in drugs.

“Their way of doing business is to go into public places … pubs and clubs, wearing their colours and intimidating and recruiting young people,’’ he said. “The way to recruit an ice dealer in Tasmania is pretty simple, you just need to get them to take the first hit, and sadly … the addiction is so vicious that that person needs to buy more, and to buy more they need to be able to sell it.”