A LANDMARK investigation into the region’s crystal methamphetamine scourge has revealed desperate users are “screaming out” for rehabilitation services.
Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation researchers have already spoken with 40 ice users from the general community and are searching for dozens more as they try to get a snapshot of how entrenched the issue is.
Researcher Victor Williams said yesterday the personal stories of ice users from across all socio-economic areas of the regional community had been “horrific”.
“Ice users are screaming out for rehabilitation, they are asking for help, but they can’t get it,” Mr Williams said.
His comments follow the State Government announcing a number of new initiatives to fight ice use across South Australia, including 15 new residential rehabilitation beds in regional areas.
It is not known if any of these beds will be rolled out in the South East.
“This drug can catch anybody from anywhere across the community,” warned Mr Williams, who has coordinated delivery of survey flyers in letter boxes across the region.
“Everybody would know someone who has been someway affected by ice.”
Alarmingly, he revealed there were now babies born in Mount Gambier addicted to ice.
“That is really what has shocked me,” Mr Williams told The Border Watch.
He said they were searching for 40 indigenous and 40 non-indigenous ice users to participate in the confidential survey.
The researcher said the drug was destroying the lives of the users and their families, from teenagers to people aged in their seventies.
“This drug does not discriminate, it is across the board,” Mr Williams claimed.
He particularly warned ice was fuelling crime among users who could not afford to bankroll their habit.
Meanwhile, Mr Williams said he was disappointed the Karobran drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre closed due to a lack of ongoing funding.
“There are no rehabilitation services in the region – people have to go to Adelaide, but there are growing waiting lists there,” the researcher said.
“Nobody knows at this stage how prevalent ice use is.”
Mr Williams said the research project was designed to indicate the level of ice use in the region so government funding could be secured.
“Once we collect the data, it will be up to the broader community to act on our research,” he said.
Fellow research assistant Peter Fullston said the project’s goal was to attract government funding for rehabilitation services.
“We need to get something happening in the Limestone Coast,” Mr Fullston said.
“Once ice gets a grip on people, that is it – they need help.”
He said stage two of the project would see the creation of focus groups to gain an understanding of where and who was being affected by the drug.
Ten communities across Australia are participating in the Novel Interventions to Address Methamphetamine Use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (NIMAC) research project.
Survey flyers have been distributed across Mount Gambier, Millicent, Nangwarry and Penola.
People interested in participating in the confidential survey can call Victor Williams on 0436 393 177 or Peter Fullston on 0436 393 429.
