St John paramedics treated more than 6600 people in NT for alcohol-related issues – and just 230 patients with amphetamines as the drug of concern – in the first six months of 2015. Picture: Supplied Source: ThinkStock
ST JOHN paramedics treated more than 6600 people in NT for alcohol-related issues – and just 230 patients with amphetamines as the drug of concern – in the first six months of 2015.
The Ice Select Committee said: “The Territory needs to ensure it is well equipped to manage the impact of ice. But witnesses impressed on the committee it was important not to lose sight of the fact alcohol is a far greater problem in the NT and strategies to address ice should not be implemented at the expense of alcohol-related harm initiatives.”
The committee did not recommend establishing specialised ice rehab services, despite evidence that most NT alcohol and volatile substance rehab facilities do not have the staff or resources to cater for the challenges of methamphetamine.
Drug and Alcohol Services Association boss Carole Taylor said: “After people are detoxed there is not a lot of difference ... there has been a lot of talk about a difference when (ice users) are healing. We have not found that.”
Amity Community Services said meth had bumped cannabis off the top rung for its “primary substance of concern”, but it was unclear if it was due to more use, lack of availability of other drugs or more awareness of treatment.
The committee said research showed a “stepped care treatment model”, which could be individually tailored and involved “least intensive intervention”, was best practice.
