Amphetamine use, particularly crystal methamphetamine or "ice", has risen at alarming rates in regional areas across NSW over the last two years.

NSW Police Mid-North Coast Local Area Commander Paul Fehon told The Macleay Argus that Kempsey is not unlike other towns in NSW.

"What we do have, and what everyone out there is seeing across the state, is the increase level of use of methylamphetamine’s, especially with ice,” Commander Fehon said.

“And with that, as we saw back in the 80’s and 90’s when we had a heroin problem, there is a strong colation between drug use and property crime like stealing, break and enters, car stealing’s, and those sort of crimes even up to the serious crimes of armed robberies.

“But we haven’t seen an increase in armed robberies, in fact, we are well down in our figures of armed robberies and that is a good sign.”

Commander Fehon said towns like Kempsey are vulnerable, in part, due to it being a low socioeconomic community. 

“Communities with low socioeconomic support tend to be vulnerable,” Commander Fehon said.

“People are more vulnerable to trying and getting addicted to these sorts of drugs and I think that is what is most likely occurring now. “

Commander Fehon believes there needs to be more initiatives to enable young people to get a fresh start in life to avoid substance abuse.

“There has been some wonderful things happen to try and provide employment for the local community,” Commander Fehon said.

“Those sorts of initiatives enable youth to get a start and to understand responsibilities like to have a job and be self supportive.

“But whilst people get engaged in this level of drug abuse it takes away those opportunities and in fact limits their chance later in life to have a start.”