Healthy Harold’s boss, Life Education chief executive officer Kellie Sloane, is keen to work with the group with a new ice education initiative rolling out in a statewide drugs program in November.

“We have a new drugs program coming out later in the year and it’s funded by the federal government’s ice taskforce,” Mrs Sloane said.

“So ice will be included in this brand-new program, which has the potential to be rolled out in Tamworth as one of the first areas in the state to see this program.”

The Life Education chief executive said the program would support the work being done in Tamworth and the region.

“We need to look at the ice issue not in isolation,” she said.

“We recognise that ice as a factor within a more broad drugs program is vital in areas like Tamworth.

“Regional areas in NSW have double the rates we see in the cities.”

Mrs Sloane was impressed with Tamworth’s ice action group and said she saw potential in similar models in other communities across the state.

“What I saw today was real steps being taken, people walking away with responsibility to make stuff happen,” she said.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the Life Education connection would be key in getting information to kids on the effects of illicit and legal drugs.

“Part of that is linking with Life Education, as well as looking at the good work the Department of Education is doing,” Mr Anderson said.