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PDF printable version of Ice advice: blueprint for government action (PDF 28 KB)

31 January 2007

PYN002/07

Expert advice to help Australia’s governments combat the increasing usage of methamphetamines, including “ice”, has been welcomed by the Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne.

“The Australian Government welcomes today’s launch of the Australian National Council on Drugs position paper on methamphetamines by Dr John Herron,” Mr Pyne said.

“The Government looks forward to working closely with the Australian National Council on Drugs to tackle methamphetamines and other illicit drugs. I urge my state and territory colleagues to consider the council’s suggestions carefully.

“The Herron Paper is timely, informed, expert advice to the Australian Government and the state and territory governments. It sets out key strategies for nationwide action to reduce the harm of methamphetamines.

“The report advises on how to: manage psychosis, respond to crime and violence, control supply, prevent uptake and treat methamphetamine dependence,” he said.

“The use of methamphetamines, particularly the crystalline form “ice”, in Australia is of great concern to the Government.

“There are an estimated 102,600 regular methamphetamine users nationally, with 72,200 of those being dependent.

“The use of methamphetamines can induce psychosis and other serious health problems and disrupt the lives of families. These behavioural problems and the problems of psychosis create significant challenges for frontline workers, such as police and those working in hospital emergency departments.

“The Herron Paper fits well with the $1.3 billion National Illicit Drugs Strategy (NIDS), Tough on Drugs, launched by the Government in 1997 as the biggest anti-drugs initiative in Australia’s history,” Mr Pyne said.

In addition to the development of a National Amphetamine Type Stimulants Strategy, the Government has invested:

• $5.4 million since 2002-03 towards the National Precursor Strategy, to prevent the diversion of legitimate chemicals into the manufacture of illicit drugs
• $5.7 million in 2006-07 to support the Law Enforcement Cooperation Program, which sponsors and promotes robust partnerships with international law enforcement agencies
• $0.6 million, allocated directly to regional initiatives focusing on preventing the diversion of legitimate chemicals into drugs manufacture (the Asian Collaborative Group, and the Pacific Precursor Working Group).

“Through its National Psychostimulants Initiative, the Australian Government is investing more than $15 million over seven years from 2003-04 to address the dangers caused to users of psychostimulants, including methamphetamines,” Mr Pyne said.

As well, $23.7 million has been provided for the development of Phase Three of the National Drugs Campaign.

“This campaign will target young Australians and their parents, providing them with information about the risks of drug use, including psychostimulants, and the choices available to young people in resisting the use of these drugs,” Mr Pyne said.

“Given the recent prominence of ‘ice’, it will feature in the campaign.”

Media contact: Adam Howard 0400 414 833