Ice drug scourge: Rate of hospital admissions increases 20-fold in Queensland

AS THE state kicks off its first summit on the ice drug scourge, the shocking escalation of the problem has been exposed, and it’s children under five who are mainly in the firing line.

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ONE in three children in the state’s child safety system have a parent who uses ice.

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman released the shocking statistics today at the ice summit in Rockhampton.

The data found 749 children had a parent who was using ice, and 60 per cent of those kids were under five years old.

“It’s especially concerning to me that so many children whose parents were using ice were so young,” Ms Fentiman said.

The most common type of substantiated harm against children from their parents who were ice users was neglect, 59 per cent. Emotional and physical harm rates were at 29 per cent and 11 per cent respectively, while sexual abuse was one per cent.

Ms Fentiman said 22 per cent of referrals to child safety came from a family member, friend of neighbour.

“This is why it is so important to continue that message about everyone in the community having a role to play to keep our kids safe,” she said.

“But the prevalence of ice use also tells us that we need to continue to invest in early intervention and prevention services to provide mums and dads with hands-on, in-home help so they can be better parents.”

RATE OF HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS INCREASES 20-FOLD IN QUEENSLAND

THE ice scourge has sent ­hospital and mental health unit admissions soaring in Queensland, as the drugs on the street become more powerful.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will address the state’s first ice summit in Rockhampton today, but research obtained by The Courier-Mail reveals the shocking extent of the problem.

A Queensland Health methamphetamine paper shows the rate of ice-related hospital admissions increased by 20 times in just six years, from 3.9 to 79.9 per 100,000 between 2009-10 and 2015-16.

The increase in inpatient mental health admissions was almost as drastic, rising 15 times, from 60 in 2009-10 to 933 in 2014-15.

The report notes almost a quarter of regular ice users will experience psychosis in a year.

Emergency department presentations spiked by almost five times in five years, from 332 in 2009-10 to 1618 in 2014-15.

The strength of ice sold in Queensland has also rapidly risen.

The methamphetamine ­purity level reached 66 per cent in 2015, compared with 46.9 per cent in 2013.

The report found the overall use of ice in Queensland had remained stable but users were taking greater risks.

“Among people who use methamphetamine, there has been an increase in the use of crystal methamphetamine (the strongest type) and an increase in the frequency of use, with more regular and dependent use,” the report states.

Ms Palaszczuk said she hoped today’s summit would encourage Queenslanders to talk openly about ice problems and try to find solutions.

“A lot of families are struggling through this behind closed doors,” she said.

“I’m asking the community to help us formulate more of a response to this.”

The ice forum will include speakers from the justice and health systems, along with people who have experienced the drug’s effects first-hand.

Ms Palaszczuk said she hoped there would be other ice forums across the state.