A national study by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre released on Monday, detailed that the number of methamphetamine-related deaths doubled across the country during the seven-year period from 2009-2015. In Tasmania, that figure was a frightening 37 ice-related deaths over the same period.
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While the National Drug Strategy Household 2016 Survey does detail some small declines in illegal drug use, people taking ice continues to be the main form of methamphetamine use.
In March, the first National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program report said Tasmanians in regional areas were using ice more than those living in the state’s capital city.
Our hospital emergency departments see firsthand the devastating effect the drug has on individuals presenting for treatment with beds specifically designated for those under the influence.
Then there are our already stretched emergency service workers who deal with people under the influence of ice on a daily basis, our police who are often confronted with aggressive and irrational ice addicts, and our paramedics, who are left with the unenviable task of having to treat illicit drug users.
But what about those who want to seek help and be clean? According to the final report of the National Ice Taskforce 2015, there are eight government delivered specialist alcohol and other drug treatment service providers and 14 publicly funded non-government specialist AOD treatment service providers in Tasmania. There are also three Commonwealth funded Indigenous specific treatment services.
The taskforce reported that counselling was the most common type of treatment sought for methamphetamine use, followed by rehabilitation. But it is not enough. Many of those services are already at breaking point, and getting treatment for addiction can be difficult.
In June 2016, Evandale-based Missiondale was concerned that without extra funding that it would be forced to close at least half of its beds. Thankfully funding came through at the 11th hour under the federal budget.
Despite this, more needs to be done and the solution isn't simple. It rarely is. Educating people at a young age around the inherent risks of taking any illegal substance remains society's best answer to the ills of illicit drug use.
