It will take a joint fight between the police and the community to tackle the scourge of the drug “ice’’, says the former chairman of a federal parliamentary committee looking into the problem.
Chris Hayes, who is the Federal Member for Fowler, says crystal methamphetamine (commonly called “ice’’) is cheap to buy and produces devastating effects on users.
Mr Hayes was speaking after the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement held a public hearing in Liverpool on Friday as part of its inquiry into crystal methamphetamine.
Mr Hayes, a former chair and current member of the committee, attended yesterday’s hearing.
First to give evidence was NSW Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas.
Police commanders from the Cabramatta, Liverpool, Green Valley and Fairfield Local Area Commands also gave evidence to the committee.
They identified “ice’’ as a growing problem across Australian communities, including the south west Sydney local area.
The committee was told that “ice’’ was now becoming “a drug of choice” in communities across the country.
“It is widely known as a cheap and readily available drug,’’ Mr Hayes said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“This drug, however, comes with shocking addictive, aggressive and psychotic problems.[/social_quote]
“Our police do a tremendous job and often put their own lives in danger, to protect our community,’’ he said.
“Their role extends beyond interfering with the manufacture and distribution of the drug, to educating our youth and encouraging treatment and rehabilitation.
“This is not just a police issue; it is an issue for the entire community to tackle together.
“Communities across the country need to be educated and given the tools to combat the scourge of ice”, Mr Hayes said.
