MASSIVE TOLL OF ICE ABUSE

THE surge in the abuse of methamphetamines across Australia has been commonly branded an epidemic.

Tragically, that description now falls short of capturing the full scope of this crisis. Ice is showing every sign it has become a permanent scar on our nation’s human landscape.

Its use and abuse is ubiquitous, both in terms of its human toll and its geographic reach.

It does not discriminate against any one group, although the unemployed in remote and regional areas tend to be overrepresented.

But as our special report today about meth abuse on the Gold Coast reveals, there are disturbing new trends.

Pregnant addicts and teenagers are on the rise.

The toll on society is massive. Every hour police, emergency workers and medicos spend dealing with the fallout from ice abuse is one hour less on solving other crimes and saving others’ lives.

Access to this drug is too easy.

Ice dealers appear to be able to distribute their product with ruthless efficiency and at prices that would alarm any parent or loved one of an addict.

That is, alarm them at how cheap it is, for as little as $10 a hit.

Another problem is there appears to be little stigma about drug use among users.

Those who work with addicts, and addicts themselves, have told The Bulletin use of the drug is rife among the working population.

That tells you many people who try the drug are not necessarily on skid row.

This drug kills. It causes unending misery. So why would anybody try it?

It’s no good pretending the experience of taking this drug – at least initially – will be a wholly negative one.

If that were the case, it would not be so addictive.

That is actually the nub of the problem – the hit from this evil substance is so powerful it quickly outweighs other, more rational thinking and decision-making.

So what can we do, individually and collectively?

Individually, there is, unfortunately, not a lot we can do for the addict.

We can tell them how ruinous this drug is. We can inform them about the consequences of their abuse on themselves and those they love.

That they are on a highway to hell. That they will likely end up in jail, in a mental institution or dead.

But ultimately, the addict can only recover when they want recovery. Invariably that requires a rock bottom. That may be a neardeath experience.

As a community we need to acknowledge the extent of this problem and respond accordingly.

That does not mean more forums. Talkfests about drugs are a complete waste of money.

It does, unfortunately, mean more resources for rehabilitation of addicts.

It also means more resources for law enforcement to more effectively disrupt supply. We need to stop this drug at our ports. And here on the Gold Coast, we need more cops dedicated to shutting down every filthy lab in our city.

Until we – all of us – admit this is a serious problem for our society, we will never take the necessary steps to tackle it.