YOUNG people turning to drugs such as ‘ice’ are being failed by a lack of jobs and industry opportunities, according to Member for Mount Isa Rob Katter.

But he says the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has assured him there is no epidemic of ice (crystal methamphetamine) in his electorate.

”At this stage, I’ve been assured by QPS, that we don’t have an epidemic,” Mr Katter said.

“Drug and alcohol abuse amongst young people is I think a reflection on how we’re failing them in terms of jobs and industry opportunities.”

“I think giving young people employment and hope for the future is the antidote to widespread drug use amongst the young.”

“It’s always easier and more effective to ensure a dangerous drug like this doesn’t take hold, and the public awareness campaign against ice is certainly helping.”

Services such as Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATODs) have been delivering education programs to schools in Mount Isa and Cloncurry.

Rugby league star Wendell Sailor this week travelled to the small Gulf Country town of Normanton for a community forum to combat ice use.

Ice use is more entrenched in residents of smaller communities such as Normanton, Mr Katter said.

“In this electorate, the ice issue seems to be affecting smaller communities more than larger centres like Mount Isa; that is the feedback I’m getting from constituents anyway,” he said.

“Both the  police in the North West and ATODS are across this issue, but at this stage, compared with other regional centres, especially in NSW and Victoria, I understand that we don’t have the huge increase in use of ice and the associated worrying problems that those centres are experiencing.”

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council's Sandy Gillies says communities have little experience or knowledge of methamphetamine and are only just beginning to realise the impact of ice addiction.

The council wants a meeting with Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick and director-general of health Michael Walsh to discuss how to stop the looming health crisis.

"Like the rest of Australia, our communities are feeling the sting of methamphetamine addiction and we want to get on the front foot to deal with this as soon as possible," Ms Gillies said.

"Our people already suffer from the worst mental and physical health outcomes in the country and we simply cannot afford another health crisis to unfold."

The health council is working on a policy paper on the best way to deal with the crisis, which it plans to submit to the Queensland government.

Some recommendations include researching the use of ice in indigenous communities, a public education campaign, an early intervention program, more training for community health workers and specialist indigenous detox and treatment services.

Mr Dick said he was more than willing to meet the health council to discuss the issue and said he looked forward to examining their proposals.

The concerns from Ms Gillies align with Mr Katter who said there have been calls for help from rural towns for help to battle the ice issue.

“Constituents in rural towns have told me there’s a problem with ice; they’re concerned about it and want me to help,” Mr Katter said.

So what can be done, and are enough government resources being allocated to stop the scourge of the drug?

Mr Katter says campaigns were a positive step in fighting the battle against drugs.

“I think the public awareness campaign through television is doing a lot to heighten awareness of the dangers of this drug, and prevention is always better than trying to stamp it out once it takes hold,” he said.

“I haven’t had any requests for additional funding from North West Hospital and Health Service and they haven’t raised concerns with me about this issue, but I am concerned about the effect of ice in small rural communities, and again, I think the answer is meaningful jobs and employment for people – so they have a reason to get up in the morning.”

“The police here are able to draw on the experience of every other regional centre for checks and balances, which is helpful if the situation does escalate here.”

Mount Isa Police acting inspector Kelly Harvey said the most concerning aspect of the drug ice was its ability to make people aggressive.

“Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that comes in three forms ice (also known as crystal), base and speed,” she said.

“The difference between ice, base and speed is that ice is the most pure form of methamphetamine and the high purity attributes to worse side effects including paranoia and hallucinations, aggressions, agitation, worse come downs and higher likelihood of addiction.”

“This drug is notoriously associated with violence as it increases the ‘fight or flight’ reaction which can make people respond more aggressively to situations when they feel threatened.”

Mount Isa Police are working with the recently implemented National Ice Taskforce to help curb the distribution of the drug.

“Local police are working closely with state and federal police and partner agencies to stop the use and trafficking of all drugs, including ice,” Acting inspector Harvey said.

“Further, the National Ice Taskforce has been implemented to improve the efforts of the federal, state and territory governments to combat the growing use office in our communities.”

“The taskforce will work closely with government, expert groups and the community to examine existing efforts to address ice, and to identify opportunities to improve education, health, law enforcement and other policies to combat the impact of ice.”

The taskforce was established due a significant growth in the detected importation and the reported use of ice users increasing from 22 per cent in 2010 to 50 per cent in 2013.

The most rampant individual drugs in the city have been narrowed down to three by Mount isa Police investigations.

“Cannabis, speed and synthetic drugs namely cannabis and speed have been identified as being more prevalent in the Mount Isa community,” Acting inspector Harvey said.

“These drugs have had a significant effect on our community and have affected many families.”

But there has only been a minor elevation of ice-related incidents, according to acting inspector Harvey.

“The Mount Isa police have only identified a slight increase in the detection of ice related offences,” she said.

“There is a lot of talk in the community that ice and other drugs are readily available in our community… community members know where, when and how the drugs are coming from and who is using.”

“To stop these drugs ruining our community and the use of ice becoming an epidemic here, we encourage any member of our community to contact Crime Stoppers (1800333000) and report any information they are aware of. “

“The police can’t resolve the drug problem alone, we need the community to work in partnership with us to make our community safer.”

North West Hospital and Health Service chief executive Sue Belsham said help was available for drug abusers.

“The North West Hospital and Health Service provides extensive local and specialised assistance and support for abusers of any substances, including drugs such as ice,” she said.

“This support extends to close friends, relatives or carers of substance abusers who may be helping them overcome their addiction.”

“Our Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS) is available to assist with interventions to minimise harm associated with the abuse of any substances.

“Our mental health and ATODS people also are available to support those who support substance abusers who may not yet be ready to seek help themselves.

Ms Belsham said clinical and support staff comprising of clinical nurses, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists and community support workers are available across the entire hospital and health service.

“We also conduct regular health prevention and promotion campaigns throughout the region,” she said.

“Most recently this has included amphetamine-related presentations to schools and community groups in Cloncurry and Mount Isa.”

Future sessions are planned.

The service works closely in the session with Dovetail, a peak alcohol and drug resource agency, that provides clinical advice and professional support to workers, services and communities across Queensland who engage with young people.

Ms Belsham said future sessions are planned.

“Anyone seeking advice or support in relation to the use of “ice” or any other substance, either for themselves or for someone they know, should contact our ATODS staff for confidential assistance by ringing 4744 9100,” she said.

Ms Belsham said there has been no significant increase in the impact of amphetamines generally, or other drugs, on the Mount Isa Hospital Emergency Department.

“.. We have not seen any significant increase in the number of patients with these issues presenting to the department over the past two years,” she said.

“The health service provides regular updates on various health issues and any matters of local concern to its Board, to the Department of Health and, through the department, to the Minister for Health.”  

Ms Belsham noted that Queensland’s Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) does not have a specific code to identify separately any presentations due to crystal meth

(Ice) or methamphetamine or other specific amphetamines.

“All drug-related presentations to the ED are coded more generally as either “amphetamine poisoning” or “other drug poisoning”,” she said.

- Crime Stoppers: 1800333000

- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS): 4744 9100