We’ve seen ice use linked to violent crimes, car crashes and increased emergency ward presentations in the Ballarat community in the past 24 months.

The Courier earlier this year revealed that children as young as 10 were being treated for ice use.

The insidious and highly addictive nature of the drug has made it a menace in regional communities, which are

clearly being targeted by manufacturers and traffickers as fertile grounds.

Ice was linked to 32 murders in Victoria between 2012 and 2013, and the Coroners Court found that deaths where methamphetamine was present increased from 66 in 2006 to 166 last year. We have seen the impacts of criminal activity in Ballarat, often in busy precincts and during daylight hours.

While an inquiry into ice use undertaken by the previous state government provided a balance between levels of proliferation in the community and the need for stronger measures, 2015 was always going to be the year that would define the direction for policing and social frameworks in Victoria.

As Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday, the problem is out of hand: “We’ll confront this crisis on our streets and at its source, and find solutions that make our communities safer. 

“Victoria Police says we can’t simply arrest our way out of this crisis. We need to get to the heart of the problem and listen to the experts who see the effects of this tragedy every single day.”

A taskforce or tougher penalties for dealers will not be enough to resolve the issues.

Clearly, authorities have not come to grips with many aspects of problems in regional areas.

We expect the new government to bring about decisive and appropriate action following Monday’s announcements, and that they ensure community safety is made a major priority of any further interventions.