Cold, hard warning

Tragically crystal meth/ ice is having a shocking impact on many suburbs and areas of Australia

Ice is tearing a massive number of families apart.

I WRITE with a blunt warning.

Tragically crystal meth/ ice is having a shocking impact on many suburbs and areas of Australia.

It is true to say that in many parts of Australia, crystal meth/ice is cheaper to buy than even a takeaway pizza. It is very disturbing.

I write to warn readers of this most dangerous drug and to highlight to readers that it is never worth dabbling with a drug like ice. It is so dangerous and so addictive.

Ice is tearing a massive number of families apart. This sadly includes damage to a massive number of indigenous communities.

In some communities, grandparents, parents and children are all using crystal meth.

There is a very big misconception in the community that alcohol is the big issue for indigenous Australians. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Close to 100 per cent of our clients have been impacted by ice and shock TV ads seem to be having no impact.

You can buy ice in many parts of the country for as little as $5. We want to see governments everywhere developing rapid response teams to deal with a problem that has frankly got out of hand.

The under-reporting of ice is at a huge level.

One of the biggest issues is that crystal meth is so potent, it does not take much for people to become addicted.

People end up feeling like they are bullet-proof and invincible.

We are asking governments everywhere to take action because of the scale of the problem. I would also like to highlight, people can get more information by visiting www.adac.org.au.

Scott Wilson, CEO, Drug and Alcohol Council Aboriginal Corporation

Originally published as Cold, hard warning