Reduce demand for ice: report

#1163 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 13 December 2015

The Australian Government released the final report of the National Ice Taskforce last Sunday, after presenting interim findings on July 23.

The report made 38 recommendations aimed at improving responses to people affected by ice (or methamphetamine); stronger prevention strategies to reduce demand; better treatment and support services; and better coordination of efforts to disrupt supply.

In contrast to other Australian inquiries, which focused on law enforcement, this report strongly echoed the prevailing message from across sectors, and comments of senior police from Queensland, Tasmania and the Australian Federal Police, that we cannot just arrest our way out of the problem.

Some economists argue that reducing demand is the only effective way to reduce drug use in the long term. But how to do that remains elusive.

Part of the solution must be to encourage personal transformation through engagement with spiritual resources that leave no need to seek what ice delivers.

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