New Support for Tasmanians Battling Ice Addiction

Tasmanian construction workers and their families now have a new ally in the war against ice, with the launch of a service for those struggling with addiction.

Construction industry entitlement fund Incolink has built a specialised drug addiction support service, run by qualified professionals trained to provide families in the building and construction sector with case management.

The service, which adds to their existing wellbeing and support, was officially launched in Devonport today with Senator Jacqui Lambie.

Incolink CEO Erik Locke said workers in the construction industry who were battling ice addiction themselves or had family members with drug issues deserved every support to help get clean.

“We know that addiction to this deadly drug can tear families apart, as well as leading to other health issues, job loss, homelessness and criminal behaviour,” he said.

“We’ve seen ice infiltrate and take hold in our industry, but this service will help workers and their loved ones get through the darkest days with advice and support from the experts.

“Senator Lambie has spoken publicly of her family’s battle with ice and the desperate need for more treatment beds and services to fight the addiction. Too often this fight is harder than it needs to be and families feel like they’re doing it on their own.”

Research from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre shows methamphetamine is now the primary drug for one-quarter of closed presentations for drug treatment in Tasmania, up from one tenth a decade ago.

The frequency of use, and in particular the frequency of higher purity crystal methamphetamine (ice) use has increased, but there remains a substantial treatment gap, with around half of the people interviewed for the Illicit Drug Reporting System likely experiencing methamphetamine dependence and the majority of these not engaged in treatment.

The new service will provide referral pathways to local providers in Tasmania like the Salvation Army, particularly the Salvos’ Bridge Program which operates across much of northwest Tasmania. Incolink currently provides a range of wellbeing services to workers in the construction industry, including on-site health checks and COVID-19 testing and suicide prevention services.

“This service is another way we’re supporting members both on and off the job sites, and we’re proud to be working with partners like the Salvation Army to make sure the healthcare needs of families affected by ice addiction are met,” Locke said.