Government promise bigger focus on treatment in battle against ice
Hardline policing cannot stop the ice ‘pandemic’ facing Australia, the Prime Minister says.
Malcolm Turnbull today announce $300 million towards treatment and rehabilitation for drug addicts, promising greater involvement from health professionals.
“Proportionally, Australians use more methamphetamine, including ice, than almost any other country,” Mr Turnbull said.
With the number of ice addicts doubling since 2007, the government is doubling its financial response.
Senator Fiona Nash said an extra $300 million would go into treatment efforts on top of an existing $310m.
The national ice taskforce has heard harrowing stories of families ripped apart by ice, frustrated by a lack of services.
In its final report the taskforce delivered 38 recommendations and the government has promised to implement them all.
“The taskforce is really proud of the report. It has identified gaps, it has identified opportunities,” Ken Lay from the taskforce said.
“I hope it’s captured the complexity and the depth of the problem that this community is facing.”
The strategy includes $240m for treatment services, $25m for education targeting sporting clubs and schools and almost $19m for research.
There will also be $5m for international policing to help slow the supply at its source and $1m, announced by former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott for the ‘dob in a dealer’ campaign.
As well as supporting families and addicts the government says it remains committed to targeting traffickers.
It's seized tonnes of ice worth billions of dollars coming in from countries like Mexico, Iran and China, and west Africa.
