Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council CEO Scott Wilson says ice has become rampant in many regional communities and it is critical there are more services to support people on the front line and educate people.

Mr Wilson says thousands of regional Australians are now impacted by the drug, with communities simply not knowing what to do with the large scale of the problem.  

“We need more training to help people facing addiction,” Mr Wilson said.  

“In some parts of the country this drug is amazingly easy to obtain and is as cheap as $5.  

“Too few people are getting help.

“Frankly, it has become a vicious cycle.

“This drug sadly changes the way people think.  

“So many families are being damaged.”

Mr Wilson wants more action because ice has become entrenched in far too many regional communities.  

His own life has been touched by the tragedy of ice.  Mr Wilson’s niece died as a result of the drug and he has nephews who have been incarcerated linked to ice. 

“When it comes to Indigenous communities, what disturbs us is that often siblings or family members may be using ice,” Mr Wilson said.

“We are talking about multiple users.  

“The losses are so great people lose their cultural connectivity and end up missing out on many important events as they literally disconnect from their own community because of the drug’s impact.”

Mr Wilson says ice has become inter-generational in some Indigenous communities with parents, grandparents and children all using the drug.

He says there is a huge misconception that alcohol is the major issue for Indigenous Australia and that close to 100% of his clients are all ice users.

“All too often we hear the same sad story,” Mr Wilson said.

“It’s tough for people to get off ice because of the psychological addiction and the intense cravings people experience.

“Also because ice is often throughout their community, it’s hard for people to get away from the drug.  Some people think ‘one little blast’ won’t hurt.  

“It does.

“What constantly shocks me is that pretty much all the ice users I’ve met believe they are in control.

“This contrasts to people who have issues with alcohol who often know there is a problem.

“We are talking about people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s all seeking help.  

“The overall approach has to change.

“This is a health issue.  

“We need more family support programs.  

“We need more services.

“We have to close the gap.  

“Emerging drug issues simply threaten to further increase the gap.”

Mr Wilson also joined the Greens in criticising the Federal Government’s Healthy Welfare Card which has been trialled in two communities and may be extended nationwide.  

The card sees 80% of a participant’s welfare payment directed straight to the debit card which cannot be used to pay for alcohol or gambling.

Mr Wilson has huge concerns about the Healthy Welfare Card and thinks rolling it out nationwide would be a huge mistake.  

He says the overarching issues aren’t going away, drug and alcohol issues in these areas don’t appear to be dropping, it isn’t stopping drinking, gambling or drug use and the card is affecting people’s self-esteem.