Not that long ago the Bendigo Advertiser asked police if the potent drug ice was a concern.
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Police were adamant it wasn’t a major issue. How things have changed.
Today, ice is fuelling many of our major crimes and tearing families apart.
In sentencing a young drug dealer in Bendigo this week, Magistrate William Gibb said ice was seeping through our community like cancer and the city was becoming known as an ice capital.
Ice is putting police and health professionals in extreme danger as they deal with addicts.
On page seven of today's printed editon, Bendigo Health professionals tell of an incident where a 17-year-old ice addict tried to bite chunks from nurses trying to help her.
Tomorrow we will tell the story of a mother who, in a moment of total despair, considered running down her own son with a car to end the family’s ice nightmare.
The mother has demanded a public forum to learn the full impact of ice on our community.
She makes a good point – it’s not until you admit a problem that you can start down the path of finding a solution.
The Bendigo Advertiser has teamed up with Bendigo Health and Victoria Police for the Break The Ice campaign and we invite any organisation who can make a difference to get involved.
We hope the campaign will provide an honest account of what ice is doing to our community as told by the people affected most.
We would like to think it will bring change but such an outcome rests with community desire to break the grip ice has on our city.
The danger posed by this terrible drug on our community demands serious attention. Can you play a role?
Who to call if you need help...
Family Drug Help 1300 660 068
Family Drug Support 1300 368 186
Directline (Alcohol and Drug referrals and telephone counselling) 1800 888 236
Lifeline 13 11 14