A SPECIAL information forum about methamphetamine, or ice, will be held at the Nowra School of Arts in Berry Street on Thursday, November 20.
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Convened by Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis, the forum will feature speakers from Drug and Alcohol Services Illawarra, Family Drug Support NSW, Triple Care Farm, and a number of extended local services such as Oolong House.
Mrs Sudmalis was moved to organise the forum following recent publicity about the extent of the ice problem in the Shoalhaven.
“The terrible, destructive drug crystal methamphetamine, more commonly known as ice, is taking hold in our community,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
“The South Coast Register is regularly carrying reports that local children as young as 15 are taking up this life-threatening drug.
“Over the past few weeks I have had a substantial number of approaches from some unexpected local parents, saying that they don’t know where to turn for personal support or for rehabilitation services in our area.
“While there are many local rehabilitation and preventative services available in the Shoalhaven, it’s clear that many local residents do not know who they are, what they do, or how to contact them.”
The forum will be open to anyone who has been directly or indirectly affected by the drug.
“I am keen to hear from the community about the problems they are facing, on the ground, in the treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of this terrible addiction.
“I’m committed to taking the outcomes of this information night to Canberra, to lobby for better service provision and more drug and alcohol funding in our area. I know the Member for South Coast and the Member for Kiama are working hard to do the same with their respective State counterparts,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
The forum will get under way at 7.30pm.