Understand Ice

Do you, or do you know someone who needs help overcoming ice? Well now there’s a new help website, which is aimed to help rural and regional Victorians understand all aspects of ice.
With ice-related ambulance attendances growing in Victoria over the recent years, it’s time to take a new approach. Something needs to be done. The use of ice, which is the crystalline form of methamphetamine, is tearing families apart, and parents and friends don’t always know where to turn.
Understand Ice is where these people can go, providing non-judgemental and credible information about ice. The new site is designed to be easily used with a smart phone, appearing just like an app, with clear and easily accessible advice and steps for young people aged 19-24 who are at risk of using or experimenting with ice, as well as advice for their friends and family.
The campaign itself has been developed by Penington Institute, a not-for-profit organisation working with people affected by drug use. Penington Institute actively supports the adoption of approaches to drug use which promote safety and human dignity – and looks to addresses the complex issues related to drug use with knowledge and compassion, which CEO John Ryan makes comment on. “The site provides useful support information for parents to have practical conversations with a loved one who has started or is thinking about starting to use the drug. The site includes information about the warning signs that a young person’s ice use is becoming a problem.
“Understand Ice fills the wide gap between shock campaigns about ice and advertisements for expensive rehab services,” he continues. “The site’s information is easy-to-understand and highlights practical actions including links to health services. It aims to reduce the fear and anxiety for families and friends.”
Dr Shaun Greene who is an emergency physician, clinical toxicologist and medical director of the Victorian Poisons Information Centre at Austin Health, has been providing medical advice to the project, saying that, “this is not a ‘just say no’ campaign but nor is the site condoning ice use. We know that ice is a growing problem for young people – that’s a fact.”
Former ice user Brooke has shared her story, indicating the dire need for a website like Understand Ice: “If I had a website to go to when I was using ice that was simple to understand and that gave me where to go or to talk to someone or about my symptoms, or where to get treated, it would have made an incredible, incredible difference on my using I think.”
There are a number of ways you can access help and support if you feel like you need help with regard to ice, depending on what type of help you feel that you need, how urgently you require it, and whether you, or someone else is at immediate risk.
With tailored information to suit your needs, this website is designed to help you begin your journey to understanding the effects of Ice addiction
The site is now available at www.understandice.org.au
Written by Chloe Cicero