13 December 2006

NSW takes action on ice

Top experts and decision makers in drugs, law-enforcement and customs, from around the country and overseas will join NSW in the fight against the scourge of 'ice' at the National Ice Forum tomorrow Minister for Health John Hatzistergos said today.

"Ministers from all jurisdictions, Commonwealth, State and Territories are attending the Forum, an initiative of NSW Premier Morris Iemma, to make urgent recommendations and find practical solutions to tackle the problem of the drug 'ice'," Mr Hatzistergos said.

Top US drugs expert, Dr John Grabowski, from the University of Texas will be the keynote speaker on the treatment of drug abuse.

"The NSW Government is taking bold action to reduce the harm of methamphetamine to individuals, families and society," Professor Grabowski said.

Mr Hatzistergos said the Forum will draw on all available evidence and expertise to find solutions to target 'ice'.

"We are determined to improve our fight against 'ice' to reduce crime, prevent family breakdown, and help addicts get their life back together.

"In just 15 months the Iemma Government has made real progress introducing strong initiatives to tackle 'ice' - but there is more work to be done.

"We urgently need an agreed national action plan to combat the increased use of 'ice' and give traffickers and suppliers nowhere to hide.

"Ice is a national problem. Drug traffickers have no regard for state or national borders - that's why we need a national plan to tackle this issue."

The Forum will cover:

• International and national trends, prevalence and impacts
• Drug trafficking across national and jurisdictional borders
• Prevention, education and community responses
• Treatment and other support responses
• Manufacture and supply of ingredients and equipment
• Potential for coordinated action at a national level.

"The Forum provides all Governments with a historic opportunity to develop new solutions and focus our attention to tackling this emerging national drug problem," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"The Forum will assist the NSW Government to build upon significant initiatives already undertaken to defeat the scourge of ice."

NSW Government initiatives on 'ice' include:

• the establishment of two specialist treatment services for users of 'ice' and other psychostimulants at St Vincent's Hospital and in the Hunter region;
• the launch of a major community education campaign targeting young adults who use these and other drugs at clubs, pubs and festivals;
• information resources to target people who use psychostimulants to get the message out that there is no such thing as 'safe' use of these drugs;
• the establishment of a Chemical Drugs Intelligence Unit to help NSW Police trace illicit drugs back to their manufacturer;
• the introduction of new police powers to crack down on the possession, supply and manufacture of methamphetamines and other drugs.

Other experts from experts across Australia making presentations include:

• Dr Louisa Degenhardt, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre;
• Dr Alex Wodak, St Vincent's Hospital;
• Professor Pat McGorry, ORYGEN Youth Health and Research Centre;
• Mr Kevin Kitson, Australian Crime Commission;
• Professor Steve Allsop, National Drug Research Institute;
• Detective Superintendent Brian Wilkins, Queensland Police.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au