HE ALTH & HE ALIN G


Help for ice addiction We currently endure a dire lack of inspirational stories that investigate


how to convert problematic drug use into a powerful catalyst for positive, even amazing, personal change.


by Anthony Eaton


HEARTBREAK AND DEVASTATION are now the telltales of Australia’s newest most addictive drug, and health services are stretched beyond breaking point as our Western dominated medical model threatens to implode under the strain. Does the Eastern medical and philosophical approach hold the key to meaningful long-term answers? It’s 10pm…the carpark is cold. Drizzly


rain pools in the dark as the deal goes down, ‘Shane’ (not his real name) scores the ‘gear’ and laughs, “Only two sleeps till Christmas”. It’s June. ‘Ice’ or crystal meth (methamphetamine) is readily available, affordable, high in purity and easy to use; a potent central nervous stimulant (CNS) that


22 JULY 2015


turbocharges through the body, passing across the blood-brain barrier hitting the brain hard. Smoked or injected, it creates


an immediate euphoric rush that overcomes any user, adding high confidence, mental clarity (of sorts), a decreased need to eat or sleep, coupled with extreme focus and hyper alertness that takes hold and leads the user well into the night and beyond. Economically speaking, the Australian


ice market generates hundreds of millions of dollars each year and is apparently causing migraine style headaches to enforcement agencies, health services, government policy makers and certainly massive


heartache for problem users, their families and loved ones. With one arrest every six minutes


on average reported, police say the worst is yet to come. In Victoria alone, the number of deaths from the use of methamphetamine has more than doubled. These figures are reflected across Australia, with ice second only to heroin in contributing to overdose deaths via illicit drugs. Problematic misuse is apparently


occurring fast, with the hospitality, construction, sport and gymnasium industries reported as areas of particular concern as workplace use becomes more common. The statistics of violence and criminality


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