Local drug action teams to find cracks in the ice

The first of 220 Local Drug Action Teams (LDATs) have been announced by the federal government to tackle ice and other drug addiction affecting communities.

Forty community groups across Australia are joining forces with local councils, service providers, schools, police, sporting groups and non-government organisations to bring these teams together to prevent and reduce drug harm on a local level.

Over the next three years, the LDATs will be established across the country and supported by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation to develop locally focused and responsive action plans to reduce the impact of drugs, with a particular focus on the drug ice.

These teams will be focused on delivering local health promotion, community-led education and mentoring programs, early intervention and prevention programs, and providing support for vulnerable people to minimise their risk of alcohol- and other drug-related harms.

Australians are proportionally using more methamphetamine, including ice, than almost any other country. Conservative estimates suggest there are more than 200,000 ice users in Australia.

The rollout of Local Drug Action teams was a key federal action under the National Ice Action Strategy in response to the recommendations of the National Ice Taskforce, to increase community engagement and action to reduce the harms of drugs.

A new web-based information toolkit will also provide communities with information about ice, including the harms associated with use, and information about accessing services and support.

The toolkit is available online at the ‘Cracks in the Ice’ website and provides tailored information for community groups, families and friends of individuals using ice, parents, teachers and students, as well as frontline service providers.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/william87