UnitingCare Ballarat alcohol and other drug program manager Peter Cranage said a lot of 14-16 year olds in Ballarat were using ice, but the largest group was 25-35 year olds.

Mr Cranage told the inquiry local drug and alcohol workers reported an increase of clients using ice.

He said it was a "major issue around Ballarat" and that some of the clients were dealing and trafficking ice to support a habit.

But, Mr Cranage said alcohol and cannabis were the drugs most used by his clients.

"Ice is certainly on the increase ... the levels of violence and aggression associated with these clients is an issue."

Mr Cranage said it was being used as a recreational drug and said consequences included loss of  family, increased stress, homlessness, unemployment and mental health issues.

"A lot of the clients say that they would never have been involved in illegal situations until their use of ice began," he said.

"When they come down there is just no enjoyment in their life."

Mr Cranage said a lot of his clients would go to a young person's house, use ice, then go out.

The inquiry also heard a lot of ice users were in a relationship and using together.

Mr Cranage echoed other speakers, saying the education system was extremely important to combating ice in the community.

"We do it reasonably well but we could do it a lot better," he said.

"Parents need more education, schools need more education ... we need to attack it on a range of levels."