THE insidious drug commonly known as ice continues to have a “crippling impact” on the Mount Gambier community.
This is the important message from Limestone Coast Police and community partners who are organising two “ice update” forums in the region.
The crystal methamphetamine “ice” scourge in the region will again be thrown into the spotlight at a major forum scheduled at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on May 21.
Families, agencies, health professionals, sporting clubs and individuals are urged to attend the free forum.
The upcoming event follows the ground-breaking “Ice Factor” forums held two years ago in response to heightened concerns over ice use and its devastating impact on the community.
While more than 500 people crammed into the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre for the forum, dozens of people were turned away due to the facility reaching capacity.
Although the grassroots community work has seen education rise across the region, ice remains the drug of choice in the South East and has taken hold across the nation.
Sergeant Andy Stott – from the Limestone Coast Police Crime Prevention Section – said the forum would give an update to the community over the work being undertaken by Substance Misuse Limestone Coast.
He said the forum would also give the community a chance to have its say on the current services available.
Sgt Stott said a drug/alcohol medical centre remained a priority for the region.
“Ice remains the drug of choice and continues to have a crippling effect on families,” the police officer said.
“It is important as a collective we step up to the plate.”
Sgt Stott said the problem of illicit drugs could not be tackled solely by police and the legal system, but needed to be a multi-prong response from the broader community.
Importantly, the forum will be captured on video and rolled-out to other centres in the Limestone Coast.
“We had more than 500 people turn out to the first forum in Mount Gambier at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre and I expect the ice update forum would again see the facility at full seating capacity,” Sgt Stott said.
He praised the Rotary clubs of Mount Gambier West, Mount Gambier and Bordertown for sponsoring the community information forums.
“We are also hoping to get other service clubs on board in the region to get the message across to the community,” he said.
The forum will include a panel of experts as well as a number of prominent speakers, including Associate Professor Robert Ali and Chris Holmwood.
Members of the audience will be able to ask questions to regional service providers for a regional perspective.
Prof Ali is a public health physician and specialist in addiction medicine.
Meanwhile, Dr Holmwood has worked for Drug and Alcohol Services SA for the past 12 years.
He is interested in trying to make the health system respond better for people with alcohol and drug related problems.
No bookings are required to attend the forums.
