THE depth of community concern surrounding the drug ice and its horrific impacts was highlighted in Warrnambool on Friday.
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About 100 people representing 34 different organisations joined forces to take a small but significant step in the fight against ice.
The highly-addictive crystal methamphetamine is destroying lives, tearing families and communities apart.
Every day there are shocking stories – violence, crime and heartbreak.
Every day the tentacles of the insidious drug touch another family.
But Friday's ice community action summit sent a loud, clear message that we’ve had enough.
One person or one organisation can’t win the war. But collectively as a united community we can. There is no easy or quick fix.
Groups formed on Friday will have 100 days to plan and develop projects that will be put into place for the next year across the region.
Prevention is clearly better than a cure.
That was a key theme on Friday and there were plenty of good ideas that through education and heightened awareness, the spread of ice can be curbed and impacts reduced.
Prevention must be part of a comprehensive approach.
The summit heard from former ice addict Michael P, who told his story. After two years of being clean, he is now using his experience to help others.
His courage in overcoming the addiction and then being prepared to stand and fight against something he embraced, is commendable. Experiences like his are crucial in helping communities address the issue. They are essential in helping others.
He noted that during his 10th day of being in a rehabilitation centre he vowed he wanted to change his life.
Rehabilitation services are essential in turning lives around.
While preventing addiction is cheaper and easier, we need more rehabilitation services, especially in regional areas.
Warrnambool’s Western Region Alcohol and Drug centre earlier this year revealed south-west addicts were waiting up to six months for help because of no local residential services. That needs to be addressed alongside the introduction of range of prevention and education initiatives.
The ideas are there, the community spirit is there. It’s time for action.
