Wyndham’s health services are being stretched to the limit as they tackle Victoria’s ‘ice’ scourge.
In the 12 months to July, 67 people affected by crystal methamphetamine sought treatment at Werribee Mercy Hospital’s emergency department.
Mercy Health executive director of health services Linda Mellors said methamphetamine accounted for about 7 per cent of all alcohol or drug-related presentations to the hospital.
“The majority of emergency department staff have been involved in the treatment of a patient under the influence of crystal methamphetamine [ice],” Dr Mellors said.
Odyssey Community Services, which provides treatment and support services to address alcohol and other drug issues, has recently opened an outreach service at Anglicare in Werribee.
Odyssey executive manager Neos Zavrou said there was overwhelming demand across the western suburbs.
“We receive more than 100 calls a day from clients seeking treatment for drug or alcohol addictions. The phone is running hot,” he said.
“There’s no doubt the use of ice in the community is increasing … it’s impacting on the levels of violence in the community and presentations to hospital emergency departments.”
A report by the Law Reform, Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee, tabled in State Parliament last week, made 54 recommendations to the government on how to deal with the spread of ice, while a new television advertising campaign, now under way, is aimed at educating young people on the risks associated with the highly addictive drug.
The state government last week announced $4.5 million in new funding from the Traffic Accident Commission to test 100,000 drivers for drugs, including ice, in the next 12 months.
Police Minister Kim Wells said 26 per cent of all fatalities on Victorian roads last year involved drivers who tested positive to drugs.
“Thirty-nine drivers who were killed in road accidents had cannabis, ecstasy or methamphetamine, including ice, in their system,” he said.
