BENDIGO Community Health Services is reaching out to methamphetamine users and encouraging them to seek help.
The community health service offers intake and assessment, counselling, both home-based and residential withdrawal programs, lifestyle groups, drug safety programs, outreach support and pharmacotherapy.
General manager of Primary Health and Integrated Care Cheryl Sobczyk said BCHS recorded an increased number of methamphetamine-related referrals last year.
Methamphetamine, the drug commonly referred to as ice, has become a growing cause for concern in Bendigo.
The Bendigo Advertiser recently teamed up with Bendigo Health and Victoria Police for the Break The Ice campaign and is inviting any organisation who can make a difference to get involved.
“People presenting for Alcohol and Other Drug services for methamphetamine use are often accessing drug treatment services for the first time,” Ms Sobczyk said.
“This group of predominantly young adults appreciate the services available and engage well in counselling and other support services ... Through our intake service it is noted that many young and middle aged professionals who have been previously functioning relatively normally while using this drug, over a period of time, if their use is without periods of abstinence, their increasing and regular drug use may start to affect their behaviour and every day life.”
Ms Sobczyk said people’s lives could quickly spiral out of control.
“For individuals, regular methamphetamine use can lead to financial problems, unemployment, social and relationship issues and poor physical health,” she said.
