CRYSTAL methylamphetamine is a dangerous drug which tears apart families and wreaks havoc on communities – but help is available.
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That’s the message coming out of a special forum held last Thursday night, which focused on crystal methylamphetamine, more commonly known as ice.
It was standing room only at St Saviours Hall. A cross-section of the community had gathered to learn more about the drug, what to look for if they suspected loved ones were addicted to the drug, and help services available.
A range of speakers addressed the forum, including Acting Superintendent Evan Quarmby, Leigh Pollock, whose daughter Brooke is currently serving a three year term for supplying ice, Anglicare and Mission Australia and NSW Health.
A/Supt Quarmby said that the issue of ice in Goulburn was something that the community needed to talk about.
Ice is a highly addictive substance, which, when ingested, usually via smoking or injection, causes a rush but permanently damages neural pathways within the brain, potentially bringing on a psychosis.
Late last year, Goulburn Police were confronted by a man high on ice who was wielding a crossbow.
Earlier this year, Bowral Police had their firearms drawn when a man, again high on ice, armed himself with a hammer and began smashing up police cars outside their station.
It was only the training and professionalism of the officers involved that prevented either situation ending in tragedy, he said.
“The problem that we’re seeing more and more with ice is that the amount a user uses today won’t be enough to satisfy them tomorrow,” A/Supt Quarmby said.
“So tomorrow, they have to either have more, or a greater concentration. It’s an evolving cycle that’s causing police a lot of problems.
“This drug is so destructive in its chemical formation, and how it affects the body.”
Drug and alcohol specialist Dr Gilbert Whitton from NSW Health said that in his experience, Goulburn isn’t special in terms of the ice problem, when compared to south west Sydney and other rural areas.
“Ice is a problem, it can be a problem, for some people, in the health service, and we’re seeing that problem in our emergency departments, in our mental health services, and indeed in our drug and alcohol services,” Dr Whitton said.
“Not everyone who uses drugs becomes aggressive, but some do, and the problems can be enormous.”
The evening finished with a question and answer session, moderated by Bishop Stuart Robinson.
It’s anticipated that similar educational forums will be rolled out into high schools and other public presentations across the Hume Local Area Command.
