“A new Ice Age?”
An information session about
Methamphetamine
A presentation by Darren Hayden – WorkCover NSW
Focus - “The hazards associated with the
effects of substances of abuse on clients
of emergency service workers, (including
crisis care workers), and employees of the
Accident and Emergency departments of
healthcare facilities.”
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Consider this comment –
New South Wales Police Commissioner
Ken Moroney was quoted by The
Australian as saying, "I don't know in all
the time I've been a policeman, which is
41 years, of a greater scourge on the
community. The physical and mental
manifestations of this drug are
absolutely horrific. It has the potential
to destroy generations".
What is “Ice”?
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Crystal Methamphetamine Hydrochloride is an
extremely addictive synthetic central nervous
system stimulant that affects certain parts of the
brain.
“Ice” is a street name for crystal
methamphetamine hydrochloride.
Ice is more potent than other forms of
amphetamines. It is more pure that the powder
form of methamphetamines (“speed”).
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Ice often appears as large, transparent
and “sheet-like” crystals that may have a
hint of pink, blue, green, or even brown
coloration, all depending on the method
used to "cook“ (manufacture) it.
How is it made ?
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Anhydrous nitrate
Ephedrine
Red Phosphorous
Lithium
Antifreeze
Lantern fuel
How is “Ice” taken
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Ice is known to be smoked, swallowed,
snorted, injected or inserted anally
(“shafting”). Some people smoke ice using
a glass pipe, while others heat it on
aluminium foil and inhale the vapours
(“chasing”).
Glass Ice pipe and
drugs.
Methods of use
“Ice” use in Australia
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In 2004, 3.2 per cent of Australians aged 14
years and older had used amphetamines for
non-medical purposes in the previous year. Over
38 per cent of this group reported the type of
amphetamine they used was ice.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2005, 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey:
Detailed findings,Canberra: AIHW
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Ice use among injecting drug users increased
from 15 per cent in 2000 to 52 per cent in 2004.
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) 2005 Australian Drug Trends 2004: Findings from the
Illicit Drug Reporting System, Sydney: NDARC
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In 2004, 63 per cent of a sample of people who
used ecstasy had tried ice at least once and 45
per cent had used ice in the past 6 months.
NCDARC 2005 Australian Trends in Ecstasy and Related Drug Markets 2004: Findings from the Party Drug
Initiative, Sydney: NDARC
Closer to home……
In NSW there are currently
approx 37000 regular users
with 28000 dependent on it
Stages of ICE use
 Rush
( 20 – 40 minutes)
 High ( 3 days )
 Binge
 Crash
What are the effects of “Ice”
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"dopamine" is released when we experience happiness
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abnormal amount of dopamine is released in the brain,
causing intense euphoria
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brain gets use to the chemical reaction, creating the
need for the user to ingest meth more often and with a
higher dose
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United Nations recently named meth-amphetamine
as the world's most addictive illicit drug.
Dilated pupil - stimulant
intoxication
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after taking ice, a person may experience:
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feelings of euphoria, excitement and well being
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increased alertness, confidence, libido, more energy,
feelings of increased strength, talkativeness,
restlessness, repeating simple acts, itching, picking and
scratching
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tremors of the hands and fingers
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speeding up of bodily functions, such as increased
breathing rate, body temperature, blood pressure, a rapid
and irregular heartbeat and excessive sweating
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difficulty sleeping, reduced appetite, dilated pupils, dry
mouth, stomach cramps, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision
and severe headaches
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abrupt shifts in thought and speech,
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nervousness, panic attacks, anxiety, paranoia irritability,
aggression, hostility and
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“amphetamine psychosis”, including hallucinations,
paranoid delusions and bizarre behaviour.
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The variable purity of each batch of ice increases the risk
of negative effects and overdose.
ICE : not a great injection drug
The human face of “Ice” addiction
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A common side effect of ice use is the sensation of bugs
or insects crawling under the skin of the user.
(“formication”). Many users will pick and scratch at these
bugs causing “bug sores” typical to an ice user/addict.
Meth needle marks
Coming down…
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a person may experience symptoms such
as tension, depression, radical mood
swings, uncontrollable violence and
exhaustion.
Long Term Use
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Long-term use of ice can result in:
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high blood pressure and increased risk of heart related
complications such as heart attack and heart failure
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malnutrition and rapid weight loss due to reduced appetite
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chronic sleeping problems
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reduced immunity and increased susceptibility to
infections due to the person not sleeping or eating
properly
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depression, anxiety, tension and paranoia
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brain damage (there is some evidence that
amphetamines may damage brain cells resulting in
reduced memory function and other impairments in
thinking)
dental problems (from grinding teeth)
smoking ice can damage the lungs
snorting ice can damage the lining of the nose
injecting ice can lead to scarring, abscesses and vein
damage. Sharing injecting equipment increases the risk of
contracting blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis B and
C, and HIV.
“Meth mouth”
tooth damage
Personality/Physical changes of
regular ice users/addicts
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Loss of weight
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Withdrawal from activities
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Scabs on skin (from excessive scratching)
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Rotting teeth
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Strong chemical body odor
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Unusual obsessive/repetitive behavior
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Aggressive behavior
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Uncontrolled, often violent emotional outbursts
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Paranoia/Delusions
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Full-blown toxic psychosis
Withdrawal
Some of the symptoms may include:
 disorientation
 hunger
 extreme fatigue and exhaustion
 decreased energy, apathy and the limited
ability to experience pleasure
 anxiety, irritability and depression
 craving ice.
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Lisa Burns, Coordinator of Newtown
Neighbourhood Centre states:
Dramatic increase in use of “Ice” among
clients of the centre
 Increase in drug related
crime ie: Break and Enter
 Increase in Homelessness
 Decline in behaviour (client attitude,
edginess and propensity for aggression)
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Increase in reported CRV incidents from
2/Year to 1/Week in last eight months
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Increase in Workers Compensation Claims
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Lack of referral places (where to send
clients for treatment)
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Lack of resources (counsellors all booked
up)
Health Care Workers. Mr Beaver Hudson Mental Health & Psychiatric Unit - St Vincent’s
Accident & Emergency Department states:
 Increase
in last two years
of “Ice” induced symptoms
 Paranoia:
belief that staff are going to
kill them (fighting for life, pleading
with staff)
Treatment
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Pharmacology oral medication mechanical/physical restraints
“Ice Block.” Behavioural Assessment Room
(contain behaviour & noise, & provides privacy &
confidentiality for client)
Policies/Procedures
Policies to deal with clients
behaviour (No tolerance, risk assess)
 Security staff essential to managing &
restraining clients
 Understanding behaviour/pattern of behaviour.
De-escalation.
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Team structures and one point of contact for
client communication.
Introduction of training specific to managing
affected clients
Staff debriefing on incidences.
Different people have different reactions to
situation. Support services.
What’s the story: Statewide
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Amphetamine, Ecstasy and Cocaine: A
Prevention and Treatment Plan
New clinics at St Vincent’s Hospital and Royal
Newcastle Centre
Adoption of principles from National illicit Drug
Strategy
Development of treatment plans, clinical
guidelines and specialist training for Area Health
Service Staff
Taskforce to combat use of illicit drugs by long
distance drivers
What’s been done about it?Federally/Internationally
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National illicit Drug Strategy
Family, Parenting, School, Tertiary, Peer,
Workplace education schemes and Workplace
developing and Training to be rolled out to the
states.
Community mobilisation and social marketing
campaigns
Cooperation with other countries to control
precursors: pseudoephedrine
How can we help?
Education/advisory campaigns
 Seminars/training
 Audits
 Building of stakeholder relationships
(Police, local councils, hospitals)
 Liaising with states/territories to develop
strategies and programs.
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End of Presentation – Thank you
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Any questions?
Resources/Further Information available at 
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of NSW –
http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/
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National Illicit Drug Strategy http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/Publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strategdrugs-illicit-index.htm
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Australasian Amphetamine Conference - http://www.amphetamines.org.au/index.htm