This ATODA ebulletin seeks to inform members and stakeholders about recent developments with regards to methamphetamine in the ACT and nationally.


Resource Priorities

Paper: Funding required for non-government specialist drug treatment and support services to effectively respond to a 36% increase in demand and rising methamphetamine related harms

This paper seeks to advise ACT Health (and the ACT Government more broadly) on an appropriate response to the rising methamphetamine-related harms in the ACT, through providing additional funding for non-government drug treatment services and workforce development.

For years, non-government services have endeavoured to proactively and positively develop their services within existing resources; however they are no longer able to cope with increasing demand and complexity, including from methamphetamine. The unsustainable impact on non-government specialist drug treatment services is demonstrated by:

• The total amount of funding for non-government specialist drug treatment services from ACT Health has not increased (beyond indexation) over the last 5 years (2010 – 2014).
• Episodes of care by non-government specialist drug treatment services have increased by 36% over 5 years (2010 – 2014).
• Waiting lists for treatment can be up to 3 months long, with some waiting lists now closed.
• Amphetamines account for an estimated 29%^[1] of all drug treatment episodes in 2013-14 in the ACT.
• Presentations to ACT drug treatment services where amphetamines are a drug of concern continue to increase.

Research tells us that lengthy waiting lists for drug treatment and support are detrimental to people and that, wherever possible, we should have a treatment on demand model.^[i]

Some have suggested a review is needed to determine priorities for action with regards to increased demand for drug treatment and methamphetamine - we do not need another review.

There is a significant body of knowledge regarding how any investment in the ACT drug sector could be best utilised. A number of comprehensive policy processes and the recently undertaken ‘Review of the Need to Expand Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services in the ACT’ have informed this.^[ii]

The 36% increase in demand for services has occurred across all non-government drug treatment and support services in the ACT, therefore additional investment needs to be made in all of these services.

Several services receive minimal funding for specialist drug treatment and support from the ACT Government. Therefore if, for example, a proportional investment (e.g. a 10% increase across all services) was made it would not achieve the goal of meeting treatment demand.

In order to genuinely create more capacity in the drug treatment system a minimum allocation of one full-time equivalent staff member (approximately $120,000 each including on-costs) is required. This could be increased for some services but if the funding is any less it won’t make the difference needed. Additional funding for ongoing sector-wide capacity building and workforce development activities must complement this.

For more information: See the Working Paper.
 

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Workforce Development & Capacity Building

ACT specialist drug treatment services have always worked with people who have amphetamine problems and have a range of skills, knowledge and evidence based treatment responses available.

Relatively rapid shifts in drug use patterns and the subsequent impact on individuals, communities and treatment services require a workforce and service system that is flexible and adaptive to emerging needs. When sufficient capacity building is in place, the sector has demonstrated that it is well placed to effectively respond to new and fluctuating drug trends and harms in the ACT community. 


Accredited methamphetamine training for AOD workers

ATODA has partnered with Odyssey House Victoria to deliver the nationally recognised accredited course: ‘10524NAT Course In Working with Clients with Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Issues’ with workers from specialist alcohol, tobacco and other drug services in the ACT.
 
An expression of interest process has been completed and three groups of workers will be trained in June, July and August 2015.
 
ATODA acknowledges Minister for Health Mr Simon Corbell and ACT Health for providing resources to enable this workforce development initiative to occur. All specialist drug treatment and support services funded or delivered by ACT Health are participating in this training. This training is fully booked out.
 

Accredited methamphetamine training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AOD workers
 
ATODA has partnered with Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation and The Connection at CAHMA to engage Odyssey House Victoria to deliver the nationally recognised accredited course: ‘10524NAT Course In Working with Clients with Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Issues’. This training is specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers based in specialist drug treatment and support services funded or delivered by ACT Health.
 
An expression of interest process is underway with services, with places to be allocated shortly.
 
ATODA acknowledges Minister for Health Mr Simon Corbell and ACT Health for providing resources to enable this workforce development initiative to occur.

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Community engagement & education
 
Methamphetamine information forum with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
 
To complement worker capacity building, ATODA and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services will be co-hosting a community information forum focussed on methamphetamine. Further information will be available in coming weeks.

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Leadership, language and stigma
 
Political fear-mongering just magnifies the harm ice can do
10 April 2015, The Conversation
 
Associate Professor John Fitzgerald, University of Melbourne, reminds us that:
 
“One of the greatest harms that our politicians and community leaders can commit is to create fear about drug users based on reports of what a drug can do to people. In recent news reports ice users have been labelled as “aggressive zombies” and a range of other fearful terms….
 
“…My concern about this kind of rhetoric is three-fold. First, labelling drug users in this way creates fear and makes it more difficult for families to have open and honest discussions about a drug when so much fear is attached to it….”
 
“… One of the best protective factors for preventing harmful drug use is having a supportive and well-informed family environment. Fear-mongering makes it more difficult for parents to have open and honest conversations with their children….
 
“… If a government goes over the top in its rhetoric about the harmfulness of drugs, it will be harder for the government to be taken seriously next time it faces a drug issue. Of particular concern is that every time a government makes an outlandish claim about the harmfulness of drugs in the absence of evidence, it reduces the capacity of future government campaigns to influence the public….
 
“… Although there are many unknowns in this difficult policy terrain, one thing we can be sure of is that elevating fear won’t help methamphetamine users.”
 
Read his full article in The Conversation here.
 
Comment: See for example the language being used in an Australian Government ‘Factsheet – What is the ice problem?’   “ice use… is linked to violent criminal attacks against innocent bystanders…”
 
 
Authority figures urged to use the correct names for drugs
 
ATODA believes that it is not appropriate for governments (or other agencies of authority) to use street names for illegal drugs. This is because street names frequently change; there is not a common community understanding of what these names may refer to; and using terms such as “ice” could be seen as glamourising, and hence promoting, a drug.
 
For further information: contact Carrie Fowlie, Executive Officer, on carrie@atoda.org.au or (02) 6255 0470.

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New service
 
Methamphetamine phone information and counseling service
 
Turning Point has begun delivering a new “ice” helpline. The service provides people with methamphetamine-related issues, and those close to them, access to professional counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 
For more information call 1800 ICE ADVICE (1800 423 238) or visit http://www.turningpoint.org.au/Media-Centre/Latest_News/Turning-Point-to-provide-phone-support-for-ice.aspx  

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National
 
National Ice Action Strategy
Council of Australian Governments (COAG)
 
States and territories welcomed the Commonwealth’s commitment on 17 April 2015 to develop a National Ice Action Strategy. All governments committed to work closely together to address methamphetamine usage.
 
The National Ice Taskforce will work with all governments and the community to develop a comprehensive strategy.
 
The national strategy will address a range of interrelated issues; including prevention, education, health, community and family support, and law enforcement. It will also build on Commonwealth, state and territory efforts to date, including:

• The National Drug Strategy;
• NSW’s commitment to tackle ice;
• Victoria’s Ice Action Plan;
• Queensland’s Drug and Alcohol Strategic Plan;
• WA’s Drug and Alcohol Interagency Strategic Framework;
• SA’s Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy;
• Tasmania’s Drug Strategy;
• The Commonwealth and NT working together on a NT Joint Law Enforcement Ice Strike Force to prevent ice taking hold; and
• ACT’s Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy.

For more information: See the COAG communiqué

 
National Ice Taskforce
 
The Australian Government has established a National Ice Taskforce that will drive the development and implementation of the National Ice Action Strategy.

 
Role of the Taskforce
 
The Taskforce, working with the states and territories, will:

• Take a comprehensive stock-take of existing efforts to address ice at all levels of government; 


• Receive submissions from community consultations and expert groups to ensure all Australians affected by ice have the opportunity to be heard; 

• Identify potential gaps in knowledge specifically around treatment models, associated criminal activity and the impact of ice on vulnerable groups, including people living in regional Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; 

• Identify specific initiatives that are currently providing good outcomes for the community; 

• Examine ways to ensure existing efforts to tackle ice are appropriately targeted, effective and efficient. 

• Provide advice on appropriate primary prevention activities, informed by evidence and best practice; 

• Consider options to improve levels of coordination and collaboration of existing efforts at the local, regional and state and territory level; 

• Develop a package of recommendations to be actioned as part of developing a broader National Strategy for Action on Ice. 


 
Membership (To access, click here)
 

• Mr Ken Lay APM (Chair)
• Professor Richard Murray, Dean of the College of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University and former President of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
• Dr Sally McCarthy, emergency physician and former President of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine


The Taskforce will be working closely with the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs (ANACAD). 
 

Reporting 

 
The Taskforce will report to the Prime Minister. 

 

Timeframes
 

The interim report will be provided to the Prime Minister in June 2015 for subsequent consideration by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). 
A final report will be provided to the Prime Minister with a final strategy to be considered by COAG before the end of 2015. 

 
The Taskforce’s first meeting was held on 22 April 2015. Read the media release here.
The Taskforce terms of reference is available here. 


National Ice Taskforce Roundtable Discussion
 
ATODA and the other state and territory AOD peaks have been invited to a roundtable discussion with Professor Richard Murray as part of the National Ice Taskforce on Tuesday 4 May 2015 in Brisbane.
 

Submissions to the National Ice Taskforce
 
The Taskforce is seeking the views of the Australian community about how Australia can combat the growing problem of ‘ice’ in our community.
You are invited to submit your views, including:

• What is the impact of people using ice on our community?
• Where should federal, state and territory governments focus their efforts to combat the use of ice?
• Are there any current efforts to combat the use of ice that are particularly effective or that could be improved?
• What are the top issues that the National Ice Taskforce should consider when developing the National Ice Action Strategy?

 
Submissions can be made here.


Submissions close 3pm Wednesday 20 May 2015.
 
ATODA will be making a submission, please get in touch to provide input.
 

Inquiry into Crystal Methamphetamine (ice)
 
On 18 March 2015, the Australian Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement initiated an inquiry into crystal methamphetamine (ice).
 
The Committee will examine the criminal activities, practices and methods involved in the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of methamphetamine and its chemical precursors, including crystal methamphetamine (ice) and its impact on Australian society

Submissions close 10 June 2015.
 
For more information: See the media release, visit the Parliament of Australia website, email le.committee@aph.gov.au, or call (02) 6277 3419
 
 
National Methamphetamine Symposium
National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction
 
The symposium will support participants to:

• Find out about latest epidemiological and treatment research and how to apply this to your work
• Gain an understanding of methamphetamine users

Learn about:

• Patterns and trends of methamphetamine use
• Latest policy, prevention and harm reduction responses
• Best practice treatment and intervention options
• Learn how to apply this information to improve responses to methamphetamine use.

 
The symposium is for frontline health and community workers, supervisors and service providers, and policy makers.
 
Date: Tuesday 12 May 2015
Time: 9am – 5pm
Venue: ANZ Pavillion, Melbourne
Cost: $195
Registration and further information: http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/nceta/events/methamphetamine-symposium/
 
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Media

Below is a summary of ACT-specific methamphetamine related media.
 
Canberra Times Editorial
Canberra Times, 21 April 2015
It is now routine for people seeking help in the Territory to be told that they have to wait two to three months for a place in a residential program. Carrie Fowler, chief executive of the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT, says of the deficit in shortfall that it "is unacceptable and perpetuates or prolongs crisis, risks and harms for people needing treatment, their families and the community".
For more information: See the article
 
Overstretched residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services turn addicts away
Canberra Times, 20 April 2015
Addicts are being turned away from residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment as demand pushes out wait times to six months, putting greater demand on counselling services.
For more information: See the article
 
‘Unacceptable’ rehab wait robbing drug users of will to change
Canberra Times, 19 April 2015
The ACT has the lowest number of rehabilitation providers in Australia, according to the Productivity Commission, and many have spoken out to The Canberra Times and Sunday Canberra Times in recent months about the difficult situation they are trying to operate in.
For more information: See the article
 
Canberra’s young get their say – and some love – during National Youth Week
Canberra Times, 16 April 2015
Young people hurled wet sponges, shot some hoops and grooved to tunes spun by a DJ on Thursday in a welcome reprieve from the challenges of growing up. 
For more information: See the article
 
Liberals call for a crystal meth strategy for Canberra
CityNews, 16 April 2015
Jeremy Hanson says the ACT Labor government needs to develop an ‘all of government’ strategy to combat the worsening problems caused by crystal meth or ice in Canberra.
For more information: See the article
 
Political fear-mongering just magnifies the harm ice can do
The Conversation, 10 April 2015
John Fitzgerald, Associate Professor, University of Melbourne
There is no doubt methamphetamine can cause harm, and no doubt most who work in drug policy aim to help drug users. But when politicians hijack drug issues and overplay them for political purposes, that too can cause harm.
For more information: See the article
 
Alcohol a bigger problem than ice, says Jeff Kennett
Canberra Times, 9 April 2015
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has questioned what Tony Abbott's ice taskforce will achieve and appealed for "courageous" leadership on the bigger problem of alcohol.
For more information: See the article
 
Ice taskforce welcomed in the ACT despite concerns for treatment facilities
Canberra Times, 8 April 2015
The ACT's peak drug body has welcomed the launch of a national taskforce to restrict the influence of ice in the territory, despite concerns about a diminished focus on harm minimisation.
For more information: See the article
 
New taskforce to tackle ice epidemic to be chaired by Ken Lay
Canberra Times, 8 April 2015
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has launched a coordinated taskforce to tackle the ice scourge gripping the nation.
For more information: See the article
 
Invest in detox and rehab to curb ice use
Medical Observer, 8 April 2015
Front-line drug treatment services say the federal government’s law-and-order response to crystal methamphetamine use won’t work without stepped-up investment in detox and rehabilitation.
For more information: See the article
 
Are we in the midst of an ice epidemic? A snapshot of meth use in Australia
The Conversation, 8 April 2015
Nicole Lee, Associate Professor, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University
Prime Minister Tony Abbott today launched a taskforce to tackle the growing problem of ice. “As a citizen and as a parent I am appalled at what is happening on our streets and in our homes,” he said, adding that the taskforce will canvass the problems and report back with a strategy by mid year. But while Australia certainly has a problem with ice, it’s hardly an epidemic. 
For more information: See the article
 
Ice ‘epidemic’ focus for new national taskforce, Tony Abbott says
ABC News, 8 April 2015
The Prime Minister has launched a national taskforce to help tackle the growing and deadly scourge of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice.
For more information: See the article
 
There is hope the dark cloud can lift for ice addicts
Canberra Times, 5 April 2015
As the gloom grows over the increasing use of the methylamphetamine, Sonia, 26, is part of a group of young people recovering from the drug.
For more information: See the article
 
Drug rehabilitation centres win last-minute reprieve from Federal Government cuts
ABC News, 31 March 2015
Drug and alcohol centres around the country have won a last-minute reprieve from Federal Government funding cuts after an outcry from health groups.
For more information: See the article
 
Ice in Australia: overseas crime gangs, not bikies, are the threat
The Conversation, 30 March 2015
Terry Goldsworthy, Assistant Professor in Criminology, Bond University
Laura McGillivray, Adjunct Teaching Fellow Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University
The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report into the methylamphetamine market in Australia makes for sombre reading. Released this week, it reveals that more drugs are coming into Australia and certain forms of drug usage are increasing. A variety of crime groups are playing a role in the drug trade.
For more information: See the article
 
Health workers on front line in fight against drugs ‘shocked’ by $200m funding cut
ABC News, 30 March 2015
Health workers on the front line in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse say they are shocked by the Federal Government's decision to cut millions in health funding.
For more information: See the article
 
Health workers on front line in fight against drugs ‘shocked’ by $200m funding cut
7 News, 30 March 2015
Health workers on the front line in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse say they are shocked by the Federal Government's decision to cut millions in health funding.
For more information: See the article
 
We must act now to curb the ice scourge
Canberra Times, 27 March 2015
We stand at a crossroads. We will vote for leaders who have the capacity to change the very course of both our state and nation's growing ice issue. 
For more information: See the article

Mandatory drug and alcohol testing on work sites floated by union
Canberra Times, 26 March 2015
Drug and alcohol testing could become mandatory on Canberra's construction sites under a new national policy proposed by a workers union.
For more information: See the article
 
Canberra community services disturbed by impact of increasing crystal methamphetamine use
ABC News, 25 March 2015
The Salvation Army and Aboriginal health service Winnunga Nimmityjah in Canberra are two organisations that have witnessed the devastating impact of the drug crystal methylamphetamine, commonly known as 'ice'.
For more information: See the article
 
Landmark report sparks warning over Australia’s addiction to ‘mind-eating’ ice
Canberra Times, 25 March 2015
A landmark report on the scale of Australia's ice epidemic has prompted federal justice minister, Michael Keenan, to warn that  "our nation's addiction to this mind-eating, personality-distorting, life-ending drug" is undermining the social fabric of communities.
For more information: See the article
 
Ice addiction is tearing Canberra families apart with violence, says drug experts
Canberra Times, 25 March 2015
Canberra's drug treatment community fears the devastating influence of ice will lead to more domestic violence in the territory.
For more information: See the article
 
Ice is everyone’s problem
Canberra Times, 25 March 2015
Ice is everyone's problem. While government agencies must do more to halt its spread, it is time we, as a community, opened our eyes and shouldered some of the responsibility too.
For more information: See the article
 
Ice addict who trapped mother in home for two hours and took phone, sentenced to jail
ABC News, 12 March 2015
An ice addict who confined his mother to her house for two hours in Canberra has been sentenced to two years and one month in jail.
For more information: See the article
 
Police seizures have little impact on methamphetamine market, AIC report
Canberra Times, 19 February 2015
An increasing number of methamphetamine seizures have had little impact on market supply or availability, according to an Australian Institute of Criminology report.
For more information: See the article
 
Rise in drugged ACT motorists prompts calls for better education about drug driving
Canberra Times, 15 February 2015
The ACT's peak drug body has renewed calls for greater awareness of drugged driving, after a jump in the number of motorists nabbed at roadside drug tests.
For more information: See the article
 
Another drug rehab raises funding fears as waiting list grows
Canberra Times, 17 January 2015
Another Canberra drug rehabilitation service is facing financial uncertainty, despite growing demand for its services threatening to triple its waiting lists.  
For more information: See the article

How drug users got off ice and came in from the cold
Canberra Times, 17 January 2015
Waiting lists meant she could not find a place in a residential treatment centre in Canberra, but Sarah said the ongoing community treatment through Directions – involving fortnightly meetings with her counsellor and case manager, as well as a weekly female-focused support group – was a major part of her success.
For more information: See the article
 
Leading drug body calls to ACT Government to focus on ice usage
Canberra Times, 28 December 2014
Canberra's leading drug body has called on the ACT Government to develop a more nuanced response to reports of increasing ice usage and associated harms. 
For more information: See the article
 
Renewed focus on ice welcomed by ACT drug and rehabilitation experts
Canberra Times, 28 December 2014
Rehabilitation and drug experts in Canberra have welcomed a renewed commitment from the federal government to tackle use of the damaging crystal methamphetamine drug known as "ice".
For more information: See the article
 
Fears for drug rehab funding as ACT users shift to ice
Canberra Times, 27 December 2014
The head of the ACT's peak drug support advocacy body has warned the waiting lists for drug treatment would blow out and users be placed at risk if feared federal government cuts to treatment providers were realised.
For more information: See the article
 
For more information: contact Carrie Fowlie, Executive Officer, at carrie@atoda.org.au, or call (02) 6255 4070
 
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