Methamphetamine

Funding for non-government specialist drug treatment and support services to effectively respond to a 36% increase in demand and rising methamphetamine related harms

ATODA produced a paper to advise ACT Health (and the ACT Government more broadly) on an appropriate response to the rising methamphetamine-related harms in the ACT, through providing additional funding for non-government drug treatment services and workforce development.

For years, non-government services have endeavoured to proactively and positively develop their services within existing resources; however they are no longer able to cope with increasing demand and complexity, including from methamphetamine. ATODA advocated for funding for the allocation of a full time equivalent staff members across all NGO ATOD treatment and support services, accompanied by additional funding for ongoing sector-wide capacity building and workforce development activities.

As part of the ACT Government Budget 2015 – 16, Minister for Health, Simon Corbell announced an $800,000 funding boost to local organisations and services to help with drug treatment.

For more information: See the Paper

ACT specialist drug treatment services have always worked with people who have amphetamine problems and have a range of skills, knowledge and evidence based treatment responses available.

Relatively rapid shifts in drug use patterns and the subsequent impact on individuals, communities and treatment services require a workforce and service system that is flexible and adaptive to emerging needs. When sufficient capacity building is in place, the sector has demonstrated that it is well placed to effectively respond to new and fluctuating drug trends and harms in the ACT community.

Accredited methamphetamine training for ATOD workers

ATODA partnered with Odyssey House Victoria to deliver the nationally recognised accredited course: ‘10524NAT Course In Working with Clients with Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Issues’ with workers from specialist ATOD services in the ACT. Minister for Health Mr Simon Corbell and ACT Health provided resources to enable this workforce development initiative to occur.

Accredited methamphetamine training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AOD workers

ATODA partnered with Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation, The Yurauna Centre and The Connection at CAHMA to engage Odyssey House Victoria to deliver the nationally recognised accredited course: ‘10524NAT Course In Working with Clients with Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Issues’. Minister for Health Mr Simon Corbell and ACT Health provided resources to enable this workforce development initiative to occur.

Methamphetamine information forum with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community

To complement worker capacity building, ATODA and Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation co-hosted a community information forum focussed on methamphetamine. It was standing room only with over 110 people attending. This demonstrated the impact of, and interest in, alcohol and other drugs in the community. It also highlighted the need for factual, non-alarmist drug information and community capacity building.

Political fear-mongering just magnifies the harm ice can do
10 April 2015, The Conversation

Associate Professor John Fitzgerald, University of Melbourne, reminds us that:

“One of the greatest harms that our politicians and community leaders can commit is to create fear about drug users based on reports of what a drug can do to people. In recent news reports ice users have been labelled as “aggressive zombies” and a range of other fearful terms….

“…My concern about this kind of rhetoric is three-fold. First, labelling drug users in this way creates fear and makes it more difficult for families to have open and honest discussions about a drug when so much fear is attached to it….”

“… One of the best protective factors for preventing harmful drug use is having a supportive and well-informed family environment. Fear-mongering makes it more difficult for parents to have open and honest conversations with their children….

“… If a government goes over the top in its rhetoric about the harmfulness of drugs, it will be harder for the government to be taken seriously next time it faces a drug issue. Of particular concern is that every time a government makes an outlandish claim about the harmfulness of drugs in the absence of evidence, it reduces the capacity of future government campaigns to influence the public….

“… Although there are many unknowns in this difficult policy terrain, one thing we can be sure of is that elevating fear won’t help methamphetamine users.”

Read his full article in The Conversation here

Comment: See for example the language being used in an Australian Government ‘Factsheet – What is the ice problem?’  “ice use… is linked to violent criminal attacks against innocent bystanders…”

Authority figures urged to use the correct names for drugs

ATODA believes that it is not appropriate for governments (or other agencies of authority) to use street names for illegal drugs. This is because street names frequently change; there is not a common community understanding of what these names may refer to; and using terms such as “ice” could be seen as glamourising, and hence promoting, a drug.

For further information contact Carrie Fowlie, Executive Officer, on carrie@atoda.org.au or (02) 6249 6358.

Methamphetamine phone information and counseling service

Turning Point has begun delivering a new “ice” helpline. The service provides people with methamphetamine-related issues, and those close to them, access to professional counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information call 1800 ICE ADVICE (1800 423 238) or visit http://www.turningpoint.org.au/Media-Centre/Latest_News/Turning-Point-to-provide-phone-support-for-ice.aspx

National Ice Action Strategy

Council of Australian Governments (COAG)

States and territories welcomed the Commonwealth’s commitment on 17 April 2015 to develop a National Ice Action Strategy. All governments committed to work closely together to address methamphetamine usage.

The National Ice Taskforce will work with all governments and the community to develop a comprehensive strategy.

The national strategy will address a range of interrelated issues; including prevention, education, health, community and family support, and law enforcement. It will also build on Commonwealth, state and territory efforts to date, including:

• The National Drug Strategy;
• NSW’s commitment to tackle ice;
• Victoria’s Ice Action Plan;
• Queensland’s Drug and Alcohol Strategic Plan;
• WA’s Drug and Alcohol Interagency Strategic Framework;
• SA’s Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy;
• Tasmania’s Drug Strategy;
• The Commonwealth and NT working together on a NT Joint Law Enforcement Ice Strike Force to prevent ice taking hold; and
• ACT’s Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy.

For more information: See the COAG communiqué

National Ice Taskforce

The Australian Government has established a National Ice Taskforce that will drive the development and implementation of the National Ice Action Strategy.

Role of the Taskforce

The Taskforce, working with the states and territories, will:

• Take a comprehensive stock-take of existing efforts to address ice at all levels of government;
• Receive submissions from community consultations and expert groups to ensure all Australians affected by ice have the opportunity to be heard;
• Identify potential gaps in knowledge specifically around treatment models, associated criminal activity and the impact of ice on vulnerable groups, including people living in regional Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders;
• Identify specific initiatives that are currently providing good outcomes for the community;
• Examine ways to ensure existing efforts to tackle ice are appropriately targeted, effective and efficient.
• Provide advice on appropriate primary prevention activities, informed by evidence and best practice;
• Consider options to improve levels of coordination and collaboration of existing efforts at the local, regional and state and territory level;
• Develop a package of recommendations to be actioned as part of developing a broader National Strategy for Action on Ice.

Membership 

• Mr Ken Lay APM (Chair)
• Professor Richard Murray, Dean of the College of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University and former President of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
• Dr Sally McCarthy, emergency physician and former President of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine

The Taskforce will be working closely with the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs (ANACAD).

Reporting 


The Taskforce will report to the Prime Minister.

Timeframes

The interim report will be provided to the Prime Minister in June 2015 for subsequent consideration by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). 
A final report will be provided to the Prime Minister with a final strategy to be considered by COAG before the end of 2015.

The Taskforce’s first meeting was held on 22 April 2015. Read the media release here.

The Taskforce terms of reference is available here.

National Ice Taskforce Roundtable Discussion

ATODA and the other state and territory AOD peaks have been invited to a roundtable discussion with Professor Richard Murray as part of the National Ice Taskforce on Tuesday 4 May 2015 in Brisbane.

Submissions to the National Ice Taskforce

The Taskforce is seeking the views of the Australian community about how Australia can combat the growing problem of ‘ice’ in our community.

You are invited to submit your views, including:

• What is the impact of people using ice on our community?
• Where should federal, state and territory governments focus their efforts to combat the use of ice?
• Are there any current efforts to combat the use of ice that are particularly effective or that could be improved?
• What are the top issues that the National Ice Taskforce should consider when developing the National Ice Action Strategy?

Submissions can be made here.

Submissions close 3pm Wednesday 20 May 2015.

ATODA will be making a submission, please get in touch to provide input.

Inquiry into Crystal Methamphetamine (ice)

On 18 March 2015, the Australian Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement initiated an inquiry into crystal methamphetamine (ice).

The Committee will examine the criminal activities, practices and methods involved in the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of methamphetamine and its chemical precursors, including crystal methamphetamine (ice) and its impact on Australian society

Submissions close 10 June 2015.

For more information: See the media release, visit the Parliament of Australia website, email le.committee@aph.gov.au, or call (02) 6277 3419

Below is a summary of ACT specific methamphetamine related media.

‘Hard-hitting new anti-ice ad’ an identical remake of 2007 ad
ABC News, 20 May 2015
The Federal Government has refused to say how much it paid for its “hard-hitting new advertising campaign” video warning of the dangers of the drug ice, which is a scene-for-scene remake of a 2007 ad.
For more information: See the article

ACT Government commits another $800,000 to ice fight
Canberra Times, 19 May 2015
The ACT government has added an $800,000 funding boost to drug treatment and support services as part of the growing response to the drug ice.
For more information: See the article

Further funding for drug rehab
CityNews, 19 May 2015
Simon Corbell has announced an $800,000 funding boost for drug treatment and support services.
For more information: See the article

Extra funding allocated to combat growing ice drug addiction in Canberra
ABC News, 19 May 2015
An $800,000 funding boost to combat the rise of ice addiction and drug use in Canberra has been announced.
For more information: See the article

My descent into the meth trap: a professional woman’s battle with ice
Canberra Times, 19 May 2015
From taking diet pills at 15 to an out-of-control ice addiction at 44, Virginia Perkins had a long history of swapping one bad habit for another, like a lot of drug users in denial.
For more information: See the article

Don’t panic: the ‘ice pandemic’ is a myth
Canberra Times, 18 May 2015
A Canberra teenager will undergo surgery after he was repeatedly punched in the face at a Civic nightclub in the early hours of Sunday.
For more information: See the article

Ice arrests nearly double in past five years according to Crime Commission’s Illicit Drug Data Report
ABC News, 15 May 2015
The number of amphetamine arrests across Australia has almost doubled in the past five years, as crime authorities warn they have never seen any substance as destructive as crystal methylamphetamine, or ice.
For more information: See the article

Awareness campaigns need to target the real victims of ice
The Conversation, 13 May 2015
Brendan Quinn, Research Officer (drug and alcohol epidemiology), Burnet Institute
Paul Dietze, Head of Alcohol and other Drug Research, Centre for Population Health, Burnet Principal for Alcohol, other drugs and harm reduction, Burnet Institute
International evidence suggests such “awareness” campaigns are not the most appropriate way to address harmful methamphetamine use.
For more information: See the article

How do we fix Canberra’s ice problem?
Riotact, 12 May 2015
Canberra has an ice problem. No, I’m not talking about the blistering cold; I’m talking about the dangerous scourge in the form of highly purified methamphetamine.
For more information: See the article

National Ice Taskforce urged to have rational response to drug treatment
Brisbane Times, 11 May 2015
A new national taskforce established to consider the impact of the drug ice has been warned by Canberra’s peak drugs organisation to avoid alarmist commentary and response measures.
For more information: See the article

Ice addiction: Graphic ad campaign on dangers of drug launched by Federal Government
ABC News, 10 May 2015
The Federal Government’s growing attack on the scourge of ice continues with a graphic ad campaign starting on television and online.
For more information: See the article

Salvos workers face added strain due to Canberra’s ice scourge
Canberra Times, 8 May 2015
Violent and agitated ice addicts have put increased pressure on an ACT welfare service as more Canberrans seek help for substance abuse and financial burdens.
For more information: See the article

Plot to smuggle the drug Ice from Canberra to NT foiled by police bugs
Canberra Times, 8 May 2015
The plan was simple. Smuggle methylamphetamine from Canberra to Darwin to resell for an easy profit on the more lucrative Northern Territory drugs market, it has been revealed in the ACT Supreme Court.
For more information: See the article

Ex-surfing world champion and recovering ice addict Tom Carroll warns users drug will ‘take everything’
ABC News, 6 May 2015
Former surfing world champion and recovering methamphetamine-addict Tom Carroll has issued a stern warning to casual users that the drug “will be their biggest taker”.
For more information: See the article

Tackling Ice, calls for more drug treatment services in the ACT
CityNews, 4 May 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) has released a paper advising the ACT Government to strengthen its response to rising methamphetamine harms by giving Canberrans access to drug treatment when they need it.
For more information: See the article

Urgent need for $1.6 million to treat ice addiction in Canberra
Canberra Times, 4 May 2015
The scourge of ice has left Canberra’s drug treatment services needing urgent investment of $1.6 million from next month’s ACT budget, as users increasingly suffer from the effects of the higher-purity methamphetamine.
For more information: See the article

Canberra Times Editorial
Canberra Times, 21 April 2015
It is now routine for people seeking help in the Territory to be told that they have to wait two to three months for a place in a residential program. Carrie Fowler, chief executive of the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT, says of the deficit in shortfall that it “is unacceptable and perpetuates or prolongs crisis, risks and harms for people needing treatment, their families and the community”.
For more information: See the article

Overstretched residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services turn addicts away
Canberra Times, 20 April 2015
Addicts are being turned away from residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment as demand pushes out wait times to six months, putting greater demand on counselling services.
For more information: See the article

‘Unacceptable’ rehab wait robbing drug users of will to change
Canberra Times, 19 April 2015
The ACT has the lowest number of rehabilitation providers in Australia, according to the Productivity Commission, and many have spoken out to The Canberra Times and Sunday Canberra Times in recent months about the difficult situation they are trying to operate in.
For more information: See the article

Canberra’s young get their say – and some love – during National Youth Week
Canberra Times, 16 April 2015
Young people hurled wet sponges, shot some hoops and grooved to tunes spun by a DJ on Thursday in a welcome reprieve from the challenges of growing up.
For more information: See the article

Liberals call for a crystal meth strategy for Canberra
CityNews, 16 April 2015
Jeremy Hanson says the ACT Labor government needs to develop an ‘all of government’ strategy to combat the worsening problems caused by crystal meth or ice in Canberra.
For more information: See the article

Political fear-mongering just magnifies the harm ice can do
The Conversation, 10 April 2015
John Fitzgerald, Associate Professor, University of Melbourne
There is no doubt methamphetamine can cause harm, and no doubt most who work in drug policy aim to help drug users. But when politicians hijack drug issues and overplay them for political purposes, that too can cause harm.
For more information: See the article

Alcohol a bigger problem than ice, says Jeff Kennett
Canberra Times, 9 April 2015
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has questioned what Tony Abbott’s ice taskforce will achieve and appealed for “courageous” leadership on the bigger problem of alcohol.
For more information: See the article

Ice taskforce welcomed in the ACT despite concerns for treatment facilities
Canberra Times, 8 April 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body has welcomed the launch of a national taskforce to restrict the influence of ice in the territory, despite concerns about a diminished focus on harm minimisation.
For more information: See the article

New taskforce to tackle ice epidemic to be chaired by Ken Lay
Canberra Times, 8 April 2015
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has launched a coordinated taskforce to tackle the ice scourge gripping the nation.
For more information: See the article

Invest in detox and rehab to curb ice use
Medical Observer, 8 April 2015
Front-line drug treatment services say the federal government’s law-and-order response to crystal methamphetamine use won’t work without stepped-up investment in detox and rehabilitation.
For more information: See the article

Are we in the midst of an ice epidemic? A snapshot of meth use in Australia
The Conversation, 8 April 2015
Nicole Lee, Associate Professor, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University
Prime Minister Tony Abbott today launched a taskforce to tackle the growing problem of ice. “As a citizen and as a parent I am appalled at what is happening on our streets and in our homes,” he said, adding that the taskforce will canvass the problems and report back with a strategy by mid year. But while Australia certainly has a problem with ice, it’s hardly an epidemic.
For more information: See the article

Ice ‘epidemic’ focus for new national taskforce, Tony Abbott says
ABC News, 8 April 2015
The Prime Minister has launched a national taskforce to help tackle the growing and deadly scourge of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice.
For more information: See the article

There is hope the dark cloud can lift for ice addicts
Canberra Times, 5 April 2015
As the gloom grows over the increasing use of the methylamphetamine, Sonia, 26, is part of a group of young people recovering from the drug.
For more information: See the article

Drug rehabilitation centres win last-minute reprieve from Federal Government cuts
ABC News, 31 March 2015
Drug and alcohol centres around the country have won a last-minute reprieve from Federal Government funding cuts after an outcry from health groups.
For more information: See the article

Ice in Australia: overseas crime gangs, not bikies, are the threat
The Conversation, 30 March 2015
Terry Goldsworthy, Assistant Professor in Criminology, Bond University
Laura McGillivray, Adjunct Teaching Fellow Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University
The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report into the methylamphetamine market in Australia makes for sombre reading. Released this week, it reveals that more drugs are coming into Australia and certain forms of drug usage are increasing. A variety of crime groups are playing a role in the drug trade.
For more information: See the article

Health workers on front line in fight against drugs ‘shocked’ by $200m funding cut
ABC News, 30 March 2015
Health workers on the front line in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse say they are shocked by the Federal Government’s decision to cut millions in health funding.
For more information: See the article

Health workers on front line in fight against drugs ‘shocked’ by $200m funding cut
7 News, 30 March 2015
Health workers on the front line in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse say they are shocked by the Federal Government’s decision to cut millions in health funding.
For more information: See the article

We must act now to curb the ice scourge
Canberra Times, 27 March 2015
We stand at a crossroads. We will vote for leaders who have the capacity to change the very course of both our state and nation’s growing ice issue.
For more information: See the article

Mandatory drug and alcohol testing on work sites floated by union
Canberra Times, 26 March 2015
Drug and alcohol testing could become mandatory on Canberra’s construction sites under a new national policy proposed by a workers union.
For more information: See the article

Canberra community services disturbed by impact of increasing crystal methamphetamine use
ABC News, 25 March 2015
The Salvation Army and Aboriginal health service Winnunga Nimmityjah in Canberra are two organisations that have witnessed the devastating impact of the drug crystal methylamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice’.
For more information: See the article

Landmark report sparks warning over Australia’s addiction to ‘mind-eating’ ice
Canberra Times, 25 March 2015
A landmark report on the scale of Australia’s ice epidemic has prompted federal justice minister, Michael Keenan, to warn that  “our nation’s addiction to this mind-eating, personality-distorting, life-ending drug” is undermining the social fabric of communities.
For more information: See the article

Ice addiction is tearing Canberra families apart with violence, says drug experts
Canberra Times, 25 March 2015
Canberra’s drug treatment community fears the devastating influence of ice will lead to more domestic violence in the territory.
For more information: See the article

Ice is everyone’s problem
Canberra Times, 25 March 2015
Ice is everyone’s problem. While government agencies must do more to halt its spread, it is time we, as a community, opened our eyes and shouldered some of the responsibility too.
For more information: See the article

Ice addict who trapped mother in home for two hours and took phone, sentenced to jail
ABC News, 12 March 2015
An ice addict who confined his mother to her house for two hours in Canberra has been sentenced to two years and one month in jail.
For more information: See the article

Police seizures have little impact on methamphetamine market, AIC report
Canberra Times, 19 February 2015
An increasing number of methamphetamine seizures have had little impact on market supply or availability, according to an Australian Institute of Criminology report.
For more information: See the article

Rise in drugged ACT motorists prompts calls for better education about drug driving
Canberra Times, 15 February 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body has renewed calls for greater awareness of drugged driving, after a jump in the number of motorists nabbed at roadside drug tests.
For more information: See the article

Another drug rehab raises funding fears as waiting list grows
Canberra Times, 17 January 2015
Another Canberra drug rehabilitation service is facing financial uncertainty, despite growing demand for its services threatening to triple its waiting lists.
For more information: See the article

How drug users got off ice and came in from the cold
Canberra Times, 17 January 2015
Waiting lists meant she could not find a place in a residential treatment centre in Canberra, but Sarah said the ongoing community treatment through Directions – involving fortnightly meetings with her counsellor and case manager, as well as a weekly female-focused support group – was a major part of her success.
For more information: See the article

Leading drug body calls to ACT Government to focus on ice usage
Canberra Times, 28 December 2014
Canberra’s leading drug body has called on the ACT Government to develop a more nuanced response to reports of increasing ice usage and associated harms.
For more information: See the article

Renewed focus on ice welcomed by ACT drug and rehabilitation experts
Canberra Times, 28 December 2014
Rehabilitation and drug experts in Canberra have welcomed a renewed commitment from the federal government to tackle use of the damaging crystal methamphetamine drug known as “ice”.
For more information: See the article

Fears for drug rehab funding as ACT users shift to ice
Canberra Times, 27 December 2014
The head of the ACT’s peak drug support advocacy body has warned the waiting lists for drug treatment would blow out and users be placed at risk if feared federal government cuts to treatment providers were realised.
For more information: See the article