By CHARLENE MACAULAY
PROMINENT youth worker Les Twentyman has called on the State Government to get pro-active on drugs after a surge in unprovoked ice-fuelled attacks on members of the community.
Mr Twentyman said workers on the front line – including community care, police, ambulance and youth workers – were facing violence on a daily basis from ice users.
He has called on the government to fund further training for outreach workers, as well as prison-style drug clinics to help users kick the habit.
“We really need structured clinics, because that drug is so powerful it is on their mind 24/7,” he said.
It’s a problem occurring across Victoria, Mr Twentyman says, but is particularly rampant across the West – especially in the suburbs of Footscray, Sunshine, Braybrook, Werribee and St Albans.
Mr Twentyman himself has been the target of ice-fuelled violence, telling Star that he was once petrol bombed trying to enter the former 20th Man premises in Footscray’s Maddern Square.
Paramedic Danny Hill said ice was increasingly becoming the entry-level drug of choice, especially among kids as young as 13 and young girls wanting rapid weight loss.
He said it could take up to eight paramedics to subdue a person high on ice, with many paramedics refusing to turn up to call-outs where ice was involved unless they were assured enough police were there.
“The level of aggression you get (from someone on ice), you don’t get anywhere else,” Mr Hill said.
“Often, they’re looking for a fight, with no fear of repercussions or being hurt.”
Steve McGhie from the Ambulance Employees Union added: “These people on ice have no idea what they’re doing. They’re so dangerous, so irrational.”
Bruce McKenzie from The Police Association Victoria said the ice epidemic was putting additional pressure on emergency services.
“Something needs to be done … it’s extraordinarily difficult for emergency service workers to deal with this violent behaviour.
“Our members never quite know what to expect (because of) the inconsistent reaction of people that use ice.”
