THE highly addictive drug ice is sinking its claws deeper into Tamworth’s underbelly, driving up crime and sparking a dramatic increase in the number of used syringes being found on public land.
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Workers on the frontline fear the problem could become an epidemic to rival the heroin boom of the 1980s unless drug services and education are bolstered in the region.
It comes as the community of Moree debates whether to establish a legal injection centre in the town and after ABC current affairs program Four Corners last night examined the rise of ice in regional and rural Australia.
“We are certainly getting an increase in ice use in the community and we’re finding syringes in quantities that have never been found here before,” Oxley police commander Clint Pheeney said.
“Police are being confronted by users who can become quite psychotic and paranoid and display some fairly outrageous behaviour.
“It can be devastating on the body and mind of long-term users.”
He said there had been a 100 per cent increase in the number of drug supply charges in the command this year, largely driven by the popularity of the potent amphetamine.
Tamworth ambulance inspector Ray Tait said paramedics were being abused and assaulted by users of the “horrendous” drug.
“Ice use is definitely on the increase and its effects are way beyond any other illegal drug on the streets,” Mr Tait said.
“Users can become violent and very hard to control; they’re a danger to themselves and paramedics.
“The drug is so addictive, once someone starts using you rarely see them get off it.”
Ice’s grip on users is so strong, drug and alcohol counsellors are being forced to focus on harm minimisation, rather than rehabilitation.
“One of the main issues is the difficulty in engaging (addicts) and keeping them engaged,” Centacare New England-North West principal psychologist Josie Hofman said.
“They often don’t show up for appointments and that’s why harm minimisation is at the forefront of our approach.
“It completely takes over people’s lives and affects relationships and contributes to family breakdown.
“Ice use is even more of an issue in rural settings because we have less services available.”
She said the ready availability of the drug meant it had long overtaken speed as the stimulant of choice for local users.
“It’s definitely one of the top three presenting issues for us, drug and alcohol-wise,” Ms Hofman said.