Salvos feel impact of rising ice use

#1001 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 30 Nov 2014.

The Salvation Army is feeling the impact of Australia’s debilitating ice problem with a 122 per cent spike in Sydney users of the drug seeking its help.

The Salvation Army says cases of speed and ice usage have now surpassed the usage of cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and gambling dependance combined. By the time users call on the Salvos recovery services, they are grappling with mental health issues, emaciation, skin rashes and poor nutrition.

Ice users make up 20 per cent of people in the Savation Army’s Sydney program. NSW Police acting Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy said police were also seeing the devastating impact of drugs in Sydney.

It’s a tragedy when anyone falls prey to substance abuse, and it affects family and friends, the workplace, and future prospects. Thank God for the Salvos, and the police and others in the community who do their best to pick up the pieces.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.