BENDIGO Community Health Services chief executive Kim Sykes says the latest Trends in Alcohol and Drug Related Ambulance Attendances in Victoria report is consistent with the service's experiences.
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The report shows the number of alcohol and ice-related incidents central Victorian paramedics attended has soared in the past year.
The report prompted experts to call for a united approach to tackle crystal methamphetamine across the state.
"It's a really balanced report and it provides excellent data," Ms Sykes said.
"The data is consistent with what our view has been for some time and also our experience with demand."
Ms Sykes said statistics in relation to ice use were of concern but the report reiterated the service's stance that all drug misuse, no matter the substance, was of concern.
"While we are concerned about the uptake of ice and the damage that can cause to people's lives, alcohol remains by far the biggest area of concern and that's supported again in this paper," she said.
"Yes, let's be concerned about ice but let's not do that at the expense of understanding this is a much broader issue."
Turning Point researcher Dr Belinda Lloyd said government, health agencies, law enforcement, community groups and local residents needed to come together to address the problem.
"Dr Belinda Lloyd does make the point that she believes a community response is required and I think we've been saying that for a while and would agree," Ms Sykes said.
"You don't get to the heart of these issues unless you have a community response and that's what Belinda Lloyd says, too. In fact, Bendigo is a step ahead here.
"Council has facilitated a group of people to begin to think about this as a broader community response ... It's consistent with the way Bendigo has already commenced work in this area."