News

More 'Get the Facts' forums on ICE

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 06:25:00

A Mildura consortium working to combat the influence of the illicit drug ice says it’s responding to community demand with a new series of information forums starting next month.

Drugs counsellors, police and health workers aligned with the community consortium Project ICE say crystal methamphetamine is now the second most-common illicit drug in Mildura and the most problematic.
There have been three forums held previously, each attended by between 80 and 100 people, and Project ICE members say as awareness is growing, they’re getting more demand for information forums.
“We’ve had a good response to the forums we’ve held so far, but we know there are more people wanting to be able to get solid, reliable information, and to ask questions,” said Rob McGlashan, from Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnership.
“We’ve scheduled information sessions for every second Tuesday of the month, starting on October 8, and running through to March next year.”
Mr McGlashan said the forums were aimed at parents, carers and community members who had any concerns about ice or who wanted to get more information.
“It’s just part of being an informed parent, or an informed community-member, to get information from reliable sources about various aspects of this drug and its effects,” he said.
The community sessions will cover information on what ice is, how it works and what it does to the body.  There is also advice on short and long-term harm, overdose signs and symptoms, treatment and support options.
The sessions are being run on the second Tuesday of the month between 4 and 5.30 p.m. at the Sunraysia Community Health Services meeting room 1, in Ramsay Court (off Tenth Street).
Mr McGlashan said in addition to the community forums, special sessions were also being offered free of charge to sporting groups, community organisations and schools.
“The community sessions run for about an hour and a half, or they can be tailored specifically for particular groups who want to host them,” Mr McGlashan said.
“We are happy to go to the organisations at a time that suits them – our priority is to get this information out circulating in the community as widely as possible.
“It is a nasty drug, highly-addictive and its effects can be devastating.
“It’s only through more awareness that we will have any real impact on trying to lessen the effects this drug is having on our community.”
The first forum is on October 8, 2013.  Later dates are November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11 and March 11.
Information about Project ICE Mildura and ice-related issues is available from the Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnership website www.northernmalleepcp.org
Anyone with drug or alcohol problems can get assistance and support from Sunraysia Community Health Drug Treatment Services team (5022 5444) or Mallee District Aboriginal Services Alcohol and Other Drugs team (5018 4100).  Information about drug-related activity or crime can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers 1800 333000 or www.vic.crimestoppers.com.au