Ice-related ambulance call-outs have skyrocketed across regional Victoria over the last six years, new figures reveal.
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Statistics released by Ambo-AODstats have revealed paramedics attended 467 ice-related call-outs in regional Victoria over the 2014-15 period, compared with 296 the year before and only 94 in 2011-12.
Over a 12-month period in 2015 paramedics attended 17 call-outs in the Ballarat area.
The rapid-growing increase has sparked calls for a new approach to tackle the increasing problem.
In an effort to help ice users and their families overcome the difficulties of drug use, the Penington Institute have launched a website for regional Victorians which will provide steps to identity warning signs and take an early intervention approach.
Penington Institute CEO John Ryan said the idea of the website was to reduce the fear and anxiety for families, while offering easy-to-understand information for young people at risk of using or currently experimenting with the drug.
“Many parents are at their wits end. For parents and friends our main message is ‘don’t freak out’, use the tips in the website as a conversation starter at the right time,” he said.
Talking about ice in the Ballarat community, manager of Ballarat Community Health’s pharmacotherapy network Jacqueline Keevins said for the minority of people who use the drug regularly and become dependent, the effects on themselves and their families can be detrimental.
“Once someone is dependent, they will enter a cycle of use and withdrawal that means their daily life will be focused more and more on accessing the drug. Over time, it can be more difficult for the person using ice to maintain relationships, work or study,” she said.
“Loved ones may find themselves having to cope with the person’s erratic behaviour, the financial impacts and legal implications of using an illicit substance.”
Ms Keevins said while the majority of the 2-5 per cent of Australian’s who have used ice do not go on to become regular users, there were significant harms for those who did.
And while alcohol still caused the most negative social impact across the region, she said ice had become more available and popular over the last decade.
With the release of the new website, Ms Keevins said education was an “extremely important” factor in addressing the community issue.
She said research had shown scare campaigns often made the drug seem more appealing to young people, so the need for no-nonsense information provided in a way young people can relate to was significant.
“There is a lot of myth and misinformation circulating in the media about ice,” she said. “It is simply not true for the majority who have used ice that ‘you will get hooked after one try’, or that every person who tries it will become aggressive or violent.
“However these stereotypes are widely believed in our community and can be very stigmatising for people in need of help, actually putting them off seeking treatment. This is the opposite of what we want to occur.
“This website is easy to navigate and provides good, evidence-based information and referral tips for where to get further help.
“It also includes harm reduction tips for people who are not ready or willing to cease using ice.”
For more information visit www.understandice.org.au
Counselling and drug/alcohol treatment is also available at Ballarat Community Health.
Family Drug Helpline 1300 660 068