MLHD says crystal meth is rife in the Riverina

Posted Tue 28 Jan 2014, 10:17am AEDT

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-28/mlhd-says-crystal-meth-is-rife-in-the-riverina/5222036

The new Murrumbidgee District Mental Health Director says the use of crystal methamphetamine and ice is rife and the impact is violence.

Dr Anthony Samuels says the majority of patients admitted with mental illness have a substance abuse problem.
Dr Samuels says there is no easy solution to the problem, but it must start with community awareness.
He says harm minimisation, prevention and more treatment resources are currently the only weapons available in the fight against these drugs.
"There's no doubt about it that there is a very strong correlation between the use particularly of crystal methamphetamine and psychosis," he said.
"All we can try and do is get the message out there that these substances are extremely dangerous."
"It is a major, major problem in our community."
"And I've worked for a long time in forensic services and certainly there is a very strong correlation between ice use and crime."
"We certainly see a lot of violence associated with Ice use. It really is a major problem."
Dr Samuels says drug and alcohol abuse is the most significant factor in mental illness in the Riverina.
The psychiatrist says the common use of crystal methamphetamine is leading to psychosis.
Dr Samuels says there are also issues with elderly patients having reactions from the medications they're prescribed and substance abuse is a big factor.
"The majority of patients who end up in our services have some associated drug or alcohol problem," he said.
"They may well have started off with a mental health problem and used substances in various ways to try and self-medicate and treat their illnessess."
"But the two do go hand in hand".
Dr Anthony Samuels says mental illness and substance use are closely linked, but drugs that effect the mental health of older people are not always illicit.
He says it's often due to a combination of drugs they've been prescribed by their doctor.
"Often we see people with mental disturbances secondary to the many medications they are prescribed," he said.
"Older people are often very sensitively affected by medication."
"We often see people who come in with multiple medications and part of the treatment approach is really just to try and reduce some of the things they are on."
"It's certainly one that is a priority for us."
"We need to look at the way in which we manage aged-care mental health in this region."
"And it's a problem that's going to rise exponentially in the coming years."

We wonder why the Wagga Police (Senior Officers) say Wagga does not need a drug squad ?

It is of great concern that "some" doctors are over-prescribing dangerous medications to our elderly folks, (perhaps "incentives" from drug companies?)

Australia First must ask; When will Mr McCormack and Mr Maquire take action on these maters, or will they continue ignore our youth being destroyed en-mass ?

It's long overdue, for parental right and authority to be restored and a zero tolerance under law regarding drug dealers (mass murderers). Our government boasts we are part of "Asia", then perhaps we look to how our Asian neighbours deal with drug dealers ?

The parents of this nation have had enough of the snivelling international socialists running roughshod over parents and interfering in family affairs.

Australia First suggest the land in Copland St slated for the (would-be)"Chinese Trade Centre", would be better used to serve the local community in the form of a youth drug rehabilitation facility, it's about time the local community and not foreigners benefit from our local assets.

Harm minimisation and "legalisation" are failed ideologies/policies, we must act to save our youth from the destruction of the drug scourge and avail them opportunity, jobs and hope for the future. If we do not protect our youth from this sociological disaster, this town has no future and indeed this nation !