ice, but they are also using it more Law enforcement efforts indicate What impact does ice frequently. In 2010, 9.3% of that the problem is only getting have on individuals and methylamphetamine users took worse. Global seizures of the community? ice daily or weekly – by 2013 that methylamphetamine have grown The use of ice has psychological number increased to 15.5%. each year since 2010. From 2011 and medical consequences for to 2012, the weight of Why is ice a growing issue users, disrupts families and methylamphetamine seized by in Australia? communities, is linked to violence law enforcement increased by and property crime, and damages Ice is usually the most pure form 15% to 144 tonnes. As the the environment. of methylamphetamine and the proceeds of the ice market purity of methamphetamine has continue to rise, the problem will Ice users are at increased risk of a tripled in some jurisdictions since continue to grow. range of health-related harms, 2010. most notably psychosis and mental illness. Long-term use can Australian illicit drug users pay a result in memory loss, aggression premium price for most illicit and increased risk of stroke and drugs compared to prices in key heart failure. As a consequence foreign markets. This makes ice use places a long term burden Australia an attractive on the health care system. marketplace for the manufacture and importation of ice. In 2013, 8.3% of the population had been a victim of an illicit Like other forms of incident such as verbal and methylamphetamine, the ice physical abuse. market is unique among Australian illicit drug markets The manufacturing of ice because there is significant produces hazardous waste that domestic manufacture and poses immediate risks to partners importation of the drug. More and children of ice users and than 60% of Australia’s most manufacturers, local residents and significant organised criminal emergency personnel. groups are involved in the How common is the use methylamphetamine market. of ice? In 2013, the use of methylamphetamine was There appears to be an increase in reported at 2.1% of the the availability and use of population. The reported use of methylamphetamine, in particular ice by methylamphetamine users ice, in areas where the drug has has more than doubled – from not been previously prevalent – 22% in 2010 to 50% in 2013. particularly regional, rural and Not only are more disadvantaged communities. methylamphetamine users using
What impact does ice have on individuals and the community? The use of ice has psychological and medical consequences for users, disrupts families and communities, is linked to violence and property crime, and damages the environment. Ice users are at increased risk of a range of health-related harms, most notably psychosis and mental illness. Long-term use can result in memory loss, aggression and increased risk of stroke and heart failure. As a consequence ice use places a long term burden on the health care system. In 2013, 8.3% of the population had been a victim of an illicit incident such as verbal and physical abuse. The manufacturing of ice produces hazardous waste that poses immediate risks to partners and children of ice users and manufacturers, local residents and emergency personnel. How common is the use of ice? In 2013, the use of methylamphetamine was reported at 2.1% of the population. The reported use of ice by methylamphetamine users has more than doubled – from 22% in 2010 to 50% in 2013. Not only are more methylamphetamine users using ice, but they are also using it more frequently. In 2010, 9.3% of methylamphetamine users took ice daily or weekly – by 2013 that number increased to 15.5%. Why is ice a growing issue in Australia? Ice is usually the most pure form of methylamphetamine and the purity of methamphetamine has tripled in some jurisdictions since 2010. Australian illicit drug users pay a premium price for most illicit drugs compared to prices in key foreign markets. This makes Australia an attractive marketplace for the manufacture and importation of ice. Like other forms of methylamphetamine, the ice market is unique among Australian illicit drug markets because there is significant domestic manufacture and importation of the drug. More than 60% of Australia’s most significant organised criminal groups are involved in the methylamphetamine market. There appears to be an increase in the availability and use of methylamphetamine, in particular ice, in areas where the drug has not been previously prevalent – particularly regional, rural and disadvantaged communities. Law enforcement efforts indicate that the problem is only getting worse. Global seizures of methylamphetamine have grown each year since 2010. From 2011 to 2012, the weight of methylamphetamine seized by law enforcement increased by 15% to 144 tonnes. As the proceeds of the ice market continue to rise, the problem will continue to grow.
fact_Sheet-what_the_ice_problem.docx