The federal government has launched a new ad campaign before Schoolies week about the health dangers of the drug ice in the hopes it will turn young people away from party drugs.
"As a message to young people who are going to Schoolies soon and may be involved in party drugs, we are launching the 'Take Back Your Life from Ice' campaign," Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
The new television and online campaign focuses on young people and parents and illustrates the health risks associated with drug use.
It also provides information on the range of resources, support and treatment options available to users and concerned family members.
""The message is very clear: ice can destroy your lives, but you can take back your lives and their is help," Mr Hunt said.
The $10 million campaign is part of the federal government's four-year $298 million national ice action strategy.
Andrew Walby, director of emergency medicine at St Vincent's Hospital, says he's seen an "aggressive change" in illicit drug use over the past 30 years.
"Ice is an enormous challenge not only for the patients who are using, but the impact on their lives, their families lives, and those who have to manage them when they come into the emergency department violent, aggressive, and psychotic," he said.
Addiction medicine specialist Yvonne Bonomo says it's important young people are aware of the health dangers of ice use, such as meth mouth, strokes, and unwanted infections.
"We need the community to talk about this and understand it because we feel the community doesn't understand methamphetamine and its nature quite as easily or readily as other drugs," she said.
Young people also need to know they can get help and turn ice addictions around, Dr Bonomo said.
"Later is better than never, but we'd rather earlier, because the earlier you get help, the easier it is to get back to a life that's connected with your family and friends."
