TALIA PATTISON
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LEETON Shire Council mayor Paul Maytom has taken the fight against the highly addictive drug - crystal methamphetamine (ice) - to the state government.
Councillor Maytom put forward a motion at a recent Mayors Association Conference that called on the state government to create a campaign against the use of ice and its affects on not just those using it, but society.
"Ice is spreading life wildfire ... it used to just be a 'city problem', but now it's everywhere, including in our town," Cr Maytom said.
'It's a real concern and one we need to meet head one.
"One of the things I have called on the state government to do is create an awareness campaign that completely saturates the media.
"One that is similar to the advertisements regarding smoking.
"We also need to have better education programs in place. If we can get people not to take drugs in the first place then we are on the way."
Cr Maytom said all illicit drugs were a problem, but believed ice was the most-addictive of the group.
The use of the potent drug has risen by up to 180 per cent over two years in regional centres such as Wagga, Cessnock and Coffs Harbour.
Statistics from the Australian Drug Foundation show 7 per cent of Australians aged 14 years and over have used meth/amphetamines one or more times in their life.
The motion put forward by Cr Maytom was passed at the conference and will now be presented to NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mike Gallacher.
Council has also approached the Attorney-General's department to find out if funding was available for a locally based advertising campaign to highlight the issue.
However, last week it heard back there was no money allocated for such projects.
Cr Maytom said it was now time to put pressure on state and federal members of parliament.
"We need to be doing something, particularly about ice," Cr Maytom said.
"It has not just an effect on the person and their body, but their families and the community.
"As a town we will go backwards if this drug continues to take hold.
"It's harmful and it's addictive and we need to better educate people in order to stop people from taking it."