MORE needs to be done to tackle Griffith’s ice epidemic, according to two independent candidates for the seat of Murray.
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Helen Dalton, who recently spoke out about the frightening epidemic, welcomed the radical new measures the Baird government will introduce.
“I think the news is very welcome and Premier Baird must be reading the local newspaper,” Ms Dalton said.
“Everywhere I go around the electorate, everyone has a story to tell. I’m glad that the Baird government is listening. It really is a health issue and there should be far more services on the ground to help people,” she said.
“There should be more mental health workers and people to support the families. At the moment there is no back-up. I also think that addicts need to commit to making that change in themselves,” she said.
“We need to make sure that they give up the habit. We have other issues in the Murray electorate. I heard recently that we have one of the greatest percentages of youth unemployment.
“If there are more opportunities for young people they’ll be less likely to search out negative lifestyle choices.
“We all have a part to play in this problem. None of us should turn a blind eye and think it will go away because it’s not,” she said.
“I’m pleased that Mike Baird has taken it on and recognised the issue. Hopefully we will get the services we need,” she said.
Dr Atul Misra is also standing as an independent candidate for Murray and has seen the ravaging effects of Ice abuse.
“The ice epidemic has grown in enormous proportions in just the last few years and it seems to be more in regional areas of NSW,” Dr Misra said.
“Unfortunately the solution provided by Premier Mike Baird looks like targeting one side of the problem only.
“Methamphetamine causes six times the amount of dopamine release (a pleasure chemical in the brain) as triggered by sex and three times the amount triggered by cocaine.
“It’s not only problems directly related to drugs, there are lots of associated health problems like the spread of Hepatitis C and other infections through the abuse of this drug,” he added.
“It’s most detrimental to human potential, destroying families and young lives, decreasing their potential and putting a huge burden on society.
“Zero tolerance to ice and a crackdown on drug dealers are only one aspect of the problem,” he said.
“I have personally seen it destroy a family by rendering a mother desperately incapable of caring for her two children and getting into psychosis that caused her to become violent. She rapidly stripped the family of financial security spending a lot of money on drugs. We have to deal with real situations like this rather than throwing money at the problem by boosting traditional failed law and order mechanisms,” he added.