Missiondale is seeing almost as many presentations for methamphetamine as alcohol.
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The rehabilitation centre, run through City Mission, saw 20 per cent of clients present with methamphetamine as their drug of choice in 2012-13. Alcohol accounted for 59 per cent.
By 2015-16, methamphetamine presentations had doubled, as they increased to 40 per cent. Alcohol presentations had dropped to 50 per cent.
That gap has closed even further recently – in October, 48 per cent of clients nominated alcohol as their primary drug of concern and 44 per cent said methamphetamine.
Missiondale centre manager Rob Koops said crystal methamphetamine, or ice, accounted for most of the methamphetamine used by clients. Mr Koops said availability contributed to the increase in presentations. He said many drug users who had previously used speed had moved on to ice.
On Missiondale’s waiting list, methamphetamine accounted for 34 per cent of clients’ drug of choice. Alcohol was higher at 37 per cent. A study released on Monday showed ice use in rural Australia had more than doubled since 2007.
Drug Education Network state manager Shirleyann Varney said more services “absolutely must” be put in rural areas.
“I think what’s interesting about small … populations is there can be more of a pressure to fit in,” Ms Varney said.
She said a lack of transport and concerns about maintaining anonymity could prevent rural residents from seeking help. She said improved mental health services in rural areas could prevent harmful drug and alcohol use.
Primary Health Tasmania chief executive Phil Edmondson said the organisation would open tenders for drug and alcohol treatment services, including services targeting methamphetamine use, this month.
It was announced in June that Tasmania would receive $5.69 million of federal funding for treatment services.
“Service providers will be funded from January 2017 to June 2019,” Mr Edmondson said.
“Further contracts will be subject to ongoing Australian government funding.”
He said the organisation was consulting with service providers and communities on local issues, needs and priorities in relation to alcohol and other drugs, a process which would determine which services would be commissioned and where.
This story first appeared on The Examiner.