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Strategy to ‘stop the hurt’ caused by crystal methamphetamine
In February 2017, the Ministerial Crystal Methamphetamine Taskforce was established to develop a rapid response to the growing use of Crystal Methamphetamine (ice) in South Australia, and the wide ranging community impacts from health to justice and child protection.
In line with the Taskforce’s recommendations the State Government has released an $8 million Ice Action Plan to reduce the growth of ice use in South Australia.
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Help us determine what actions we can take to reduce the impact of ice in the South Australian community.
What is being decided?
The Government has established a Ministerial Ice Taskforce to develop policies that seek to minimise the impact of methamphetamine use in the community.
Crystal Methamphetamine (commonly known as “ice”) is the most potent form of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine use is potentially very harmful, particularly if it is smoked or injected as it’s the case with ice, or if taken regularly.
Around 2% of Australians use methamphetamine in a 12 month period. While the proportion of Australians using methamphetamine in the past 12 months has remained relatively stable, the proportion of people with weekly use has increased significantly. As well, there has been a shift from other forms of methamphetamine to ice, which is concerning given its more harmful impacts. In South Australia, young males aged 20 to 29 have the highest rates of methamphetamine use.
Download the Fact Sheet from National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University.
The Taskforce will consider legislative and policy changes to interrupt the supply of drugs, prevention and treatment pathways for those affected, and increased community education on the dangers of crystal methamphetamine (ice).
Its response will align with the South Australian Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy 2017-2021 and the report of the National Ice Taskforce. Both these strategies are putting in place a long-term approach to reducing the use and impacts of ice.
This Taskforce will focus on swift responses – policy or legislative measures that are readily implementable. These will be developed in time to be considered in the 2017-18 State Budget.
You are being asked to provide input into developing strategies that the State Government can implement.
How can your input influence the decision?
Ideas and input are sought from stakeholders and communities who can provide expert advice, on–the-ground knowledge or first-hand experience.
Your input in sought in the following important areas:
Preventing the take-up of ice.
How to intervene early to minimise harmful impacts.
Responding to problems related to ice.
Get involved
We’d like your ideas about how to prevent the take-up of ice, how to intervene early to minimise harmful impacts, and what treatment works for different levels of dependence/addiction. We are keen to hear your feedback on:
- Which policies, services and/or initiatives are already working well in the community?
- Which policies, services and/or initiatives are not effective, or what improvements could be made?
- What other types of things could be provided to prevent and treat ice addiction, and provide education and awareness about the impact of ice?
- What legal options could be considered to strengthen law enforcement activities?
You can provide your feedback by:
Your views will be provided to the Ministerial Ice Taskforce to assist them in determining a government response. The Taskforce will also be holding regional and metro focus groups with selected key experts.
For more information please, contact Tracey Stephenson via (08) 8429 5551.
Background
The Taskforce response will align with the report of the National Ice Taskforce and the South Australian Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy 2017-2021. Both these strategies are putting in place a long-term approach to reducing the use and impacts of ice.
South Australian Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2017-2021
The South Australian Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy 2017-2021 is a co-ordinated whole-of-government approach led by SA Health and South Australia Police. Its aim is to reduce the harms caused by alcohol and other drug problems to the South Australian community by:
- Reducing alcohol-related harm.
- Reducing the impact of alcohol and other drug problems on children, young people and families.
- Reducing the harms associated with the use of illicit drugs and hazardous and harmful use of pharmaceuticals drugs.
- Reducing the harms of alcohol and other drug problems to Aboriginal people.
- Improving access to evidence that informs practice.
National Ice Taskforce
The National Ice Taskforce was established on 8 April 2015 to advise the Government on the impacts of ice in Australia and drive the development of a National Ice Action Strategy. The Taskforce presented its interim findings to the Council of Australian Governments on 23 July 2015, and delivered its Final Report to the Prime Minister of Australia on 9 October 2015.
It consulted extensively around Australia with a range of experts, visited treatment centres, held targeted community consultations and received public submissions.
What the National ICE Taskforce found
The Taskforce determined that five key strategies would strengthen current approaches:
- The first priority must be supporting families, workers and communities to better respond to people affected by ice.
- Efforts to reduce demand for ice through prevention activities must be strengthened.
- Ice users need treatment and support services that cater to their needs.
- Efforts to disrupt supply must be more coordinated and targeted.
- Better data, more research and regular reporting is needed to strengthen Australia’s response and keep it on track.
