(Transcript from World News Radio)
Australia's approach to tackling the impacts of the drug ice will be overhauled with a new government taskforce.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the taskforce is needed because ice is ruining people's lives.
Hannah Sinclair reports.
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A national taskforce has been launched to tackle the use of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice.
The Australian Crime Commission says ice usage has almost doubled over the past year.
The Prime Minister says the damage the drug is doing cannot be underestimated.
"As a citizen and as a parent I am appalled at what is happening on our streets and in our homes. Ice is far more addictive than any other illicit drug. It does far more damage than any other illicit drug."
The new taskforce will be led by Former Victorian police commissioner Ken Lay.
Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash and Justice Minister Michael Keenan will oversee its work.
The new taskforce is expected to look at ways to ensure a more systematic, comprehensive and coordinated approach.
Justice Keenan says it's important law enforcement agencies work with local communities.
"Law enforcement is already doing everything that it can to stop ice from hitting our streets. They are seizing more of this drug than ever before. We're intercepting more of the precursors that go into making ice than ever before. But we're not going to be able to police our way out of this alone. The law enforcement response will always be very important, but we also need to find other ways of working with the community, particularly in the health sector, to address this issue."
People who use the highly addictive drug can experience paranoia, disorientation and a propensity for violence.
Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash says the drug is affecting Australians from all walks of life.
"It's a drug that doesn't discriminate. I was just in a treatment service a couple of weeks ago talking to some people trying to get their lives back on track. They were smart people who had held down good jobs. This drug is not discriminating between old and young, rich and poor. And it's touching people right across the community.
The taskforce is due to report to the Prime Minister by the middle of the year.
Mr Abbott says their work will be incredibly important.
"I'm pleased to say that all of our agencies are doing everything they can. But we must constantly be ramping up this struggle against illicit drugs, particularly against ice, because of the devastation, the absolute devastation that ice is wreaking on individuals on families and on communities."
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