In this first part of our two-part investigation into the substance, reporter Rita Rizk talks to Hawkesbury Police crime manager Paul McHugh, Nepean Hospital clinical director for drug and alcohol services Dr Karen Fisher, Yarramundi Rehab Centre ONE80TC and a former ice addict Sandro Castillo.
Vivid headlines in the metropolitan media suggest Australia is in the grip of an ice epidemic. But is that the case?
The perception that ice is the biggest threat to our nation has been supported by federally funded mass media campaigns, depicting ice users as violent, psychotic monsters with superhuman strength.
Does this paint a real picture?
Those on the local front line, including police, youth workers, and users themselves, tell a somewhat different story.
Yes, the drug is bad. But are we on the verge of an ice zombie apocalypse? You be the judge.
There is certainly some evidence to suggest that the use of ice is increasing, but it seems excessive to deem it an epidemic, especially in regards to the Hawkesbury.
The definition of an epidemic is ‘‘a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time’’.
Latest data, from 2013, shows existing methamphetamine users had turned to ice as their preferred drug of choice.
Due to the symptoms of ice being extreme, users are much more obvious to society, which can create the perception that more people are using it.
But the fact remains, in Australia, alcohol continues to be the leading cause of drug harm.
ICE AT A GLANCE:
HAWKESBURY and Baulkham Hills are far behind the rest of Greater Sydney when it comes to use and possession of amphetamines, despite what the percentage increases suggest.
A NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics Research report revealed an increase of 148 per cent in the two regions over the past two years. The report relies on incidents recorded by local police and doesn’t specify the drug— which could be speed, base or ice.
Although the percentage increase appears very high, the number of incidents remains the second lowest in Greater Sydney.
In September, Channel Nine news reported Hawkesbury as having the ‘‘unfortunate mantle of being the ice capital of NSW’’.
Various media reports went with the percentage increase without looking at the actual incident numbers.
To clarify, there have been 62 incidents from July 2014 to June 2015, compared to 25 incidents from July 2013 to June 2014.
Prior to 2013, incidents in both regions remained relatively stable, between 16 to 27, except from July 2005 to June 2007 when there were 45 incidents in the first year and 43 in the following year.
What is ice?
- In Australia, methamphetamines are the most common form of amphetamines. It comes in three forms — speed, base and ice (also known as glass, shabu or crystal meth. Speed is the powder form, base is a paste and ice is the small chunky clear crystal derivative, known to be the strongest and purest form.Compared to speed, ice is more addictive and has more harmful side effects due to its higher purity, according to the NSW Health Crystalline Methamphetamine data report.
What does it do?
- Ice speeds up the workings of the brain. It is generally produced in clandestine labs, according to the Australian Crime Commission 2013 to 2014 Illicit Drug Report.
- The drugs stimulate the release of two brain chemicals, dopamine and noradrenaline, which are responsible for releasing feelings of excitement, alertness and euphoria.
- Consistent, heavy use of methamphetamine can deplete these brain chemicals, and possibly damage or destroy receptors in the brain.
When was it detected in Australia?
- A 2004 report by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre stated the supply and use of methamphetamine spiked in the mid to late 1990s while the emergence of the more potent forms of base and ice were first detected in 1999.
- The use of ice has increased among current methamphetamine users who prefer the crystal form to base or speed.
- Since 2001, all forms were readily available to users with the powder being most popular and readily available up until about three years ago.
Has there been a rise in users?
- According to the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, there was no significant change in the numbers of Australians reporting recent use of methamphetamines but there was a change in the main form used.
- The report shows there were 2.1 per cent who reported recently using methamphetamines.
- From that percentage of users, the use of speed decreased from 51 per cent to 29 per cent, while the use of ice more than doubled from 22 per cent in 2010 to 50 per cent in 2013.
- There was a reported increase in the daily or monthly use of ice from 12.4 per cent in 2010 to 25.3 per cent in 2013.
- The report states that about 400,000 Australians had used methamphetamines in the previous 12 months.
- The NSW Health Crystalline Methamphetamine data report states the prevalence of methamphetamine is still relatively low and the key current challenges come from factors such as shifts in drug supply and use.
- The report reads: “Methamphetamine is more available and purity is high. Amongst users there is greater use of the more potent form, ice, therefore impacts and harms have increased.”
What are the effects of ice?
- According to the federal Department of Health, ice has severe side effects, such as agitation, heavy come-downs and a higher likelihood of addiction.
- It produces an adrenaline-like effect which makes the heart beat faster and pupils dilate, often taking one or two days for the drug to completely leave the body.
- Regular users may start to feel less enjoyment with everyday activities, get stressed easily and change moods quite quickly which can lead to longer term problems with anxiety and depression.
- Users may feel these effects for several weeks or months after they give up ice. It can take several days to ‘come down’ from using ice and users may experience dizziness, headaches, paranoia, hallucinations and depression.
- High doses of ice and frequent use may also cause ‘methamphetamine psychosis’ which is characterised by paranoid delusions, hallucinations and bizarre, aggressive or violent behaviour.
- These symptoms usually disappear a few days after ice usage stops.
What does ice look like?
- It looks like small chunky clear crystals. It can also come as white or brownish crystal-like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste.
What is it made of?
- It’s made from common pharmaceutical drugs and readily available chemicals such as acetone, bleach, battery acid and engine coolant.
How is it used?
- It’s heated and the vapours are inhaled. It could be smoked or injected with the effects being felt in three to seven seconds. The effects of ice can last around six hours, but it might be hard to sleep for a few days after.
Border detections:
- The number of detections of amphetamine and methamphetamine across the nation’s borders have gone up from 1999 in 2012-2013 to 2637 in 2013-2014.
Hospitalisations in the state:
- In 2014 men were 68 per cent of methamphetamine presentations.
- In 2013-2014, methamphetamine-related hospitalisations comprised only 0.1 per cent of total hospitalisations.
Follow Rita Rizk on Twitter at @rritarizk or email her on rita.rizk@fairfaxmedia.com.au