THE biggest need in addressing the Eurobodalla’s “ice epidemic” is a purpose-built rehabilitation centre for users, a forum has heard.
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Katungal Aboriginal Corporation Community and Medical Service held the forum in Moruya on Tuesday to discuss the drug ice and seek community feedback on what is needed locally to address it.
The forum included an address by Katungal’s drug and alcohol outreach worker Steve Jackson, as well as a presentation from medical students about the impact using ice has on health.
The floor was then opened up to attendees to share their experiences with the drug, whether direct or indirect.
Mr Jackson said ice use was a mental health issue, not a criminal one.
He said traditional rehabilitation units and hospitals would often reject users, as their behaviour was too unpredictable.
“We need a rehab for people using ice, where we can get them in a safe place, which has a medical team to help bring them to the other side,” he said.
“Money is the biggest problem.
“Most money goes to police and border enforcement to stop drugs coming in.
“We should deal with it as a health problem, not as a criminal issue.”
He said the shire had transitional homes for women,but there was little for male drug users.
“A lot of the guys don’t want to leave their family, so we need rehab somewhere in this vicinity,” he said.
“It’s long term - it’s a 12-month stint to integrate them into society.”
Moruya mum Cheryl Hassen knows first-hand the lack of help.
I don’t believe the wards have any idea what they’re doing
Her ice-using daughter has been in and out of a Sydney psychiatric ward for the past few months.
She said discharged patients immediately bought ice.
“I don’t believe the wards have any idea what they’re doing,” she said.
“(The patients) are staying rent free for three months, and when they’re told they can go, they get money in their hands.
“Sometimes it only lasts one day.
“They have a night on ice and it’s starting all again.
“Something has to be done.”
A former ice user, who did not wish to be named, said rehab was the best option.
“It took eight months to feel half normal, after six years of use, on and off,” he said.
“Everyone does it their own different way, that’s why I think a good rehab is the best, because they’ve got the best facilities.”
Katungal CEO Jon Rogers said the first step was building an evidence-based strong case.
“Funding for things like rehabilitation is very difficult to get, especially when the government is trying to fix its budget,” he said.
“The stories we have heard from people standing up and giving their evidence, their personal story, is something we need to bottle,” he said.
“We need more seminars.”
He said Katungal would pursue paths to any rehab units which accepted ice users.
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