A FORUM in Bendigo on Thursday will provide first hand evidence of the impact of ice in regional Victorian communities, and aim to empower sporting clubs to tackle the issue.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The state government-funded forum will have three guest speakers, including a local police officer, youth support worker and representatives from the Australian Drug Foundation Good Sports program.
Foundation national policy manager Geoff Munro said while the forum will provide strategies for sporting clubs to address ice, there would also be useful information for the wider community.
"It's better that all of the community is informed about the impact of crystal methamphetamine," he said.
"It will also help sporting clubs understand how they can develop policies on illegal drugs."
Those in attendance will be able to provide feedback to the panel.
The forum, initially planned under the previous government, will form a part of the state government's 'ice taskforce'.
Mr Munro said they wanted to distinguish between ice users and those who encounter trouble while using the drug.
"We will talk about people who are at the greatest risk, including those facing difficult situations in their life, such as current and past trauma, unemployment and no future prospects," he said.
"There is a profile of people who become dependent. It's a drug that often seems to come to the attention of people in their 20s."
Ten forums have already been held in Victoria, with a further nine to come.
Mr Munro said feedback had been positive.
"It's difficult for a lot of clubs to say just how widespread use in the community is," he said.
"Clubs often report rumours that are hard to pin down.
"They perceive a problem, which makes it difficult to come up with hard data."
Every sporting club in attendance will receive a copy of the Good Sports policy regarding illegal drugs.
The forum will run from 6pm to 8.30pm on Thursday, March 5, at Bendigo Town Hall.
To register, visit www.goodsports.com.au