Community members move Ice Action Group to tackle Tamworth drug problem

Now, she’s the founder of the Ice Action Group – a community force that aims to tackle the scourge of ice.

“I was worrying about who was feeding them because parents are on ice, there’s no money in the household because of ice,” she said.

“It’s an epidemic here in Tamworth.”

Sometimes the children would stay over, sometimes they would go home – getting them off the streets was Ms Burgess’ biggest concern.

The cluster formed just days ago and has already established a Facebook page, charter and plans to meet for the first time on Sunday.

The group hopes to establish a 100 bed treatment facility that caters to children, impose curfews for young people and go door-knocking in suspected drug hot-spots to ask for information.

Research into harm reduction strategies and persuading both governments to get on board with a new rehabilitation facility are at the top of the to-do list.

It’s a return to the days of neighbourhood watch said group member Michael Foxman.

Read also:

“Ice in isolation is a massive problem, it’s contributing to high crime rates and unemployment and it’s growing,” he said.

“The only way to address a serious problem is to be proactive, we need community members actively chasing down dealers.”

Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service counsellor Peter France told The Leader in January that illicit drug use among young people has increased, most likely due to family use.

The Ice Action Group will meet for the first time on Sunday at 6:30pm at the Imperial Brewhouse.

Support local news and subscribe to The Leader