Health Department report shows no ice epidemic in NW Tasmania

Concerns over a reported ice epidemic in the Tasmania's north-west are unfounded, the state's Health Department says.

Community fears that an increasing number of young people were using the methamphetamine, prompted the State Government to release a progress report on its review of drug treatment services in the region.

The report said there was very little data on the use of methamphetamine, or ice, but that its use was more common in the north and south.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson told Parliament there was no evidence of an epidemic among teenagers in the north-west.

"Advice suggests that drug use has been increasing in the north-west region over the last 10 years with alcohol, prescription drugs, cannabis and multiple drug use identified as more concerning issues," he said.

Mr Ferguson said several options are being considered, including upskilling police and health workers and reviewing residential treatment.

"Next month the Government will release a final report - that final report with recommendations to address alcohol and drug service issues in north-west Tasmania, and I look forward to updating the house at that time," he said.

Robert Waterman from Rural Health Tasmania said it was still unclear how access to drug treatment in regional areas might improve.

"It's saying better coordination and I would agree with that, and upskilling staff I absolutely agree with that," he said.

"I think staff in alcohol and drug services need to have a better understanding of the social determinants of health, so why people use drugs."

"I think the report's saying that they recognise that there's some issues but it doesn't really say what's going to be done about it."

Rural Health Tasmania is running a public forum on the issue in Smithton on Friday night.