An ICE TASKFORCE consultation meeting conducted in Broome this week by the National Ice Taskforce has been welcomed by Melissa Price, Member for Durack.

Broome was selected by the Taskforce, as one of eight locations across regional Australia to gather grass roots information on local impacts, effective programs and current efforts to combat the use of Ice.

Ms Price said she was very pleased the Ice taskforce had come to Durack and to Broome for the consultation session on Tuesday which was attended by more around 40 people.

“It was good to see a broad range of groups represented at the Ice meeting, including representatives from hospitals, the ambulance service, police, youth, training and various aboriginal medical services,” Ms Price said.

“Distressingly, it was reported that assaults on local ambulance drivers and medicos are increasing, apparently attributed to the use of Ice.

“The Kimberley locals are on the front foot with the Ice issue, endeavouring to address it proactively, with many involved in the Taskforce meeting also actively involved in the Kimberley Ice forum, which convened in April.

“From comments made at the Ice Taskforce meeting this week, it seems that Ice is not at the epidemic stage yet, so now is the time and opportunity to get the issue under control.”

“Ice is an issue that reaches deep into the community, so we need to work in partnership to tackle it and its impacts which are linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, aggression and violence.”

Anyone can make a submission by 29 May 2015 to the National Ice Taskforce at www.australia.gov.au/drugs.