By BRIDGET SCOTT
A DRUG forum held at Narre Warren last night (Wednesday) highlighted the need for a formal drug policy to be implemented at sporting clubs throughout the City of Casey to help stop the plague of drugs.
The forum, which focused on a number of different drugs including crystalline methylamphetamine (ice), hosted a panel of guest speakers including National Policy Manager at the Australian Drug Foundation, Geoff Monroe.
The forum followed a State Government announcement last week which saw the release of more than $45 million for an Ice Action Plan to reduce the supply, demand and harm of this deadly drug.
As part of the plan, the government will implement new measures to reduce the growing supply of ice, crackdown on labs and introduce tough new laws to stop dealers and manufacturers.
It will also help further support and provide assistance to families of those affected and the frontline workers who deal with the harsh realities of ice consumption.
Victoria Police data indicates a significant rise in the frequency of use and availability of ice, with related offences almost tripling from 1274 in 2010 to 3748 in 2014.
In information released by Victoria Police Media, the force acknowledged that while it is difficult to place an exact figure on the link between ice and the rise in crime, “we do know that there remains a strong correlation between people who are detected for drug offences and their involvement in other crimes.”Also included in the information released was the fact that evidence suggests that most consumers purchase ice from people they know or who they associate with, such as friends, or friends of friends.
Victoria Police said it undertakes a range of actions including the deployment of specialised task forces at all levels of the drug trade, from regional or localised operations through to higher level border controls.
Mr Monroe said the program in Narre Warren last night was one of 19 implemented across Victoria, provoked by two things.
“The concern in the community about the apparent increase in ice prompted it,” he said.
He also added that the success of the Goods Sports Program held on reducing alcohol in sports also caused them to host a similar one in relation to drugs.
He said the main focus of the forum would be introducing the idea of a formal drug policy in all sporting clubs and letting people know how they can prevent illicit drug use.
“The most important aspect of night is that sporting clubs will be encouraged to understand the role they play in reducing factors that lead people to use drugs,” he said.
“It’s about increasing social inclusion and community cohesiveness.”
