Drug package
CHILDREN as young as 12 are seeking treatment for addiction to the methamphetamine ‘ice’, a state parliamentary inquiry has been told.
Five years ago, just five per cent of people in the Re-Gen treatment programs were admitted for ice use.
Staff say 14 per cent of clients now indicate that ice is their primary addiction with an extra nine per cent identifying it as their secondary drug choice.
The inquiry was also told ice use had grown across Victoria in the past two years, particularly in regional areas, because it was easy to manufacture and transport.
Chief executive of harm reduction group ANEX, John Ryan, told the inquiry ice was being manufactured in car boots and hotel rooms, and recipes were available on the internet.
He said the decentralised manufacturing model meant it was easier to produce and transport which had lead to a problem right across the state.
Mr Ryan told the inquiry there were 23,000 known Victorian ice users but said the real number could be a lot higher.
The Law Reform, Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee inquiry into ice is looking at the supply and distribution of crystal methamphetamine in Victoria, particularly in regional areas.
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