 | Sunday, 4 November, 2007
ICE CAMPAIGN SHOWS REALITY OF A DIRTY DRUG
The damaging effects of the drug ice are being highlighted by a youth-specific campaign unveiled today by the Minister for Mental Health, Lisa Neville.
Ms Neville launched the Ice: It’s a dirty drug campaign and a new brochure for parents on the dangers of ice in Melbourne’s St Jerome’s bar on Caledonian Lane today.
“The ice awareness campaign is part of the Brumby Government’s plan to increase community knowledge of the dangers of methamphetamine, or ice, use,” Ms Neville said.
“Primarily targeting 15 to 25-year-olds, the campaign will expose young people to key messages through the media they use and at events and venues they visit over the summer festival period.
“The key message of the campaign is Ice. It’s a dirty drug and highlights the consequences of ice use, such as depression and anxiety and in more extreme instances, paranoia, hallucinations. It also highlights the range of toxic chemicals and substances ice is mixed with such as drain cleaner and battery acid.
“Many young people are not aware of the risks associated with ice use and this campaign aims to tell those at risk groups about the dangers of drug use.
“Running from November through to March, the campaign targets young people over the summer party period when they are preparing for social events during their school, university or work holidays and are most likely to come across substances such as ‘ice’.
“Youth specific media including radio, street press, social and music websites, outdoor sites, pubs, clubs, bars and dance or music festivals will be used to get the message across.
“This campaign identifies ice as the most potent and dangerous form of amphetamine – it can have long term, highly damaging mental and physical health consequences.”
Ms Neville said that in addition to the ice prevention campaign, the Brumby Government has:
· Commenced developing a Victorian Amphetamine Type Stimulants Strategy which will provide the framework for a state-wide response to ATS, including ice;
· Banned the sale of ice pipes with fines up to $60,000;
· Introduced new laws to make it an offence to possess a pill press without lawful reason;
· Banned possession of over 100 precursor chemicals without lawful reason; and,
· Introduced random saliva testing to detect drivers under influence of methamphetamine.
In May 2007 Ms Neville announced the $230,000 Family Support Package, comprising of:
· $100,000 for an ice brochure, which will be distributed to the parents of teenagers in Victoria this month, outlining the risks of ice and where to get help;
· $30,000 in additional funding for training staff and volunteers of the Family Drug Helpline and the Drug Information Line on up-to-date information about ice; and,
· $100,000 in additional funding for training of alcohol and drug workers in the use of the Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Methamphetamine Addiction.
DirectLine provides 24-hour telephone counselling, information and referral services on drug-related issues on 1800 888 236. For information on drug issues visit www.druginfo.adf.org.au
Media contact: Emma Diffen 03 9651 5799/0418 362 409 www.vic.gov.au
|
