Ice, ice, baby

The explosion in ice use has occurred against a backdrop of rapidly rising methamphetamine seizures, both domestically and by Customs. Yet these seizures have done nothing to abate the harms associated with ice. Clearly, the law enforcement agencies are locked in a war they cannot win.

To tackle the ice epidemic and other drug problems, prevention and treatment must become the focus of our drug strategies. Research shows that treatment yields returns - every $1 invested saves up to $12 in health and crime costs.

This is not to suggest that drug law enforcement should be abandoned. Legal mechanisms should continue to play a role, but the pointy-end of law enforcement should be reserved solely for drug suppliers.

To give credit where it is due, there have been improvements in recent times at both the federal and state level that indicate that the message is gradually getting through. The NSW Government’s decision to establish five ice treatment centres is one example.

The Council of Australian Governments should build on these developments and ensure prevention and treatment are placed at the centre of Australia’s drug strategies. Until they do, drugs like ice will continue to extract a terrible price from society.