It is wreaking havoc in homes in the shape of domestic violence and it is quite clearly playing a major roll in Victoria’s road toll as drugged-up drivers take to the highways and, in doing so, threaten the lives of others as well as risk their own.

On Wednesday, a jury took less than an hour to return a guilty verdict for ice user Scotney John Duncomb, 37, of Warrnambool, who had denied culpable driving and dangerous driving causing the death of Mortlake man Ellis Arnott, 80. 

Duncomb, who is yet to be sentenced, was found to have high readings for ice and other amphetamines.

The drug is also suspected by police of being a factor in the horrific deaths of four young men, aged between 19 and 28, who died after hitting a tree at high speed near Pyalong, north of Melbourne, on Wednesday.

Police found a white crystal substance and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, which was almost cut in half by the force of the impact suggesting very high speed.

Three of the men were killed instantly, but one of them held the hand of a police officer for 15 minutes before he passed away.

What a stupid, tragic and utterly senseless waste of young lives.

Police report that there is increasing evidence to suggest that more drivers are taking to the roads in a drug-affected state.

These drivers are ticking time bombs with the potential to wreak havoc.

Young men in particular often make bad judgment calls. It is part of growing up. In the main, they can learn from their mistakes, pick up the pieces and get back on an even keel.

But when those bad judgments involve ice, an insidious, addictive drug of the very worst kind, there is often no coming back.

We are facing a crisis and there is no quick fix, no real solution to the problem.

All we can do as a community, as parents, as teachers, as caring relatives or friends, is be vigilant and aware.

It could save your life.