By ANEEKA SIMONIS
ICE abuse in Cardinia Shire threatens to wipe out the emerging generation of young people, according to Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent.
“It is addictive to an extent I don’t understand. It’s a disaster across this nation, it’s in every community and it’s killing a generation,” he said.
He said the drug was being increasingly taken up by young people, particularly tradesmen, who were quickly ruining their lives.
“We have to find a way for people to understand that this drug is going to kill them,” he said.
“I’ve seen wasted lives of often good, young apprentices … it seems to be rife among the tradies where quite brilliant people are being destroyed, quickly.”
Mr Broadbent, who says he’s had “numerous meetings” with police over the drug epidemic, says ice is a frequent factor involved in domestic violence.
“A lot of the domestic violence in my electorate is ice-based. It used to be alcohol-based, now it’s ice-based,” he said.
Acting Senior Sergeant Graeme Stanley from Pakenham police agreed that young men were a frequent victim of the addictive drug.
“A lot of young men are affected by ice. This is a concern to police because of their unpredictable behaviour on the drug,” he said.
Mr Stanley, who is heavily involved in the police division’s family violence prevention schemes, said ice was playing a growing role in domestic disputes.
“It’s a growing concern and coming to our attention more and more,” he said.
According to the Australian Drug Foundation, seven per cent of Australians aged 14 years and over have used methamphetamines at least once in their lives.
On average, young Australians (aged 14-24) are 18 years of age when they first try ice.
