Alcohol is behind more ambulance calls in Victoria than illegal drugs, raising questions about how to deal with the abuse of a substance so embedded in Australian culture.
There was an 11.8 per cent increase in ambulances attending alcohol-related emergencies in Melbourne in 2013-14, says a report by health organisation, Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre.
Ice-related ambulance attendances rose by 10 per cent in Melbourne and an alarming 27 per cent in regional Victoria.
While ice is getting warranted attention, it is important people also remember the harmful effects of alcohol abuse, Turning Point's head of research Belinda Lloyd says.
"It is something that is embedded in Australian culture, having a drink is a way to celebrate, it's a way to engage in social occasions ... its really something that's synonymous with Australian culture for many people," Associate Professor Lloyd says.
She said the response to alcohol abuse must includes education, law enforcement and a review of accessibility and marketing.
The report shows ice is still a big problem in regional Victoria and continues a worrying upward trend, she said.
But the latest increase is smaller than in previous years.
Many factors could have influenced this change, including education campaigns and more access to support services.
Turning Point's latest report shows while heroin is still one of the more common drug-related call outs for ambulances, calls decreased by 1.6 per cent in Melbourne and 12.6 per cent in regional Victoria.
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