Disqualified Driver Busted with Ice During an RBT

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A  man driving on a three-times disqualified driving license has been allegedly busted with the drug ice in Muswellbrook.

At about 2pm yesterday afternoon police stopped the driver of the Mitsubishi Triton utility on Market Street for a random breath test.

The man returned a negative result, but officers discovered he was driving for the fourth time on a disqualified license.

Officers then searched the man's car and found drug-related items and several clear resealable plastic bags allegedly containing an amount of methylamphetamine.

The 29-year-old was arrested and charged at Muswellbrook Police Station with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug and disqualified driving.

He will front Muswellbrook Local Court today.

Police Found More than Expected When They Pulled Over a Man not Wearing a Helmet in Broadmeadow

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police found more than they expected when they stopped a man on his bike in Broadmeadow yesterday because he wasn't wearing a helmet.

At about 4pm, Newcastle Transport Command officers were patrolling Chatham Road when they stopped the 23-year-old -officers searched him.

Officers discovered he was in possession of a drug belived to be 'ice', a knife, and other items including a passport, cash and credit which are alleged to be unlawfully obtained.

He was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, custody of knife and deal with proceeds of crime.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 5 October.

Ice-related deaths doubled in regional areas

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Regional and rural areas are at the top of the list of being the worst for drug related deaths including here in the Hunter.

Research compiled by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has found methamphetamine-related deaths in Australia have doubled between 2009 and 2015.

Shadow Health Minister Walt Secord is calling on the Berejiklian government to hold a drug summit at State Parliament to discuss challenges and possible new treatment measures for drug use and overdose particularly involving the drug ice.

The research also found 43 per cent of ice-related deaths were from overdose and 41 per cent of them were in regional and rural areas.

Shadow Health Minister Walt Secord
Image @WaltSecordMLC

Walt Secord says it's been nearly 18 years since the last drug summit and too much has changed for current measures to combat drug usage to still be applicable.

"Drug use in NSW and Australia has significantly changed over the last two decades - ice has replaced heroin, and I think it's time that we do new approaches to the challenges particularly in rural and regional areas."

He also says he's seeing firsthand how bad drug-related problems, particularly with ice are getting, with his shadow ministerial office receiving letters, emails and telephone calls from the parents of young people addicted to ice on a regular basis. 

Walt Secord says it's time to gather experts together to find better solutions and better treatments. 

"Drug use in NSW has significantly changed since the last drug summit. At that time we brought together family members, judges, doctors, medical experts, paramedics, everyone involved in that sector - we all came together and people with good will all worked together."

Alleged ice dealer doesn't learn his lesson

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI AND JESSICA ROUSE

An accused ice dealer who was arrested twice in three days and granted bail on both occasions has again been arrested on drug charges in the Hunter.

46-year-old, Jason Young is in custody for the third time after police allegedly seized a stash of ice, cannabis and ecstasy at his Anna Bay home on Thursday.

Prohibited weapons, drug paraphernalia and a large sum of cash was also found.

The arrest comes just 15 days after he was first charged with supplying a prohibited drug and granted bail.

He was then arrested two days later when he was found with more ice and was again released on bail, leaving police seething.

But this time round, the man has been refused bail and is due to front Raymond Terrace Local Court today.

Raymond Terrace Local Court [Image: Newcastle Herald] 

Breaking the Ice forum hits Maitland

BY JARROD MELMETH

Crystalline methamphetamine or 'ice' will be the topic of tonights' 'Breaking the Ice' forum in Maitland.

Local community members, health experts and government will be on hand to help attendees understand the issues and misconceptions surrounding 'ice' and give some practical tools to deal with the issue.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare the number of Australians who have used methamphetamine has increased to 1.3 million people. In the regional areas of the Hunter, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reveal a 60 per cent increase in reports of amphetamine use and possession. Much larger than the 18 per cent increase in population centres of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation NSW Programs Manager Annie Bleeker says, the forum will aim to inform the community about the drug, break the stigma attached to its use and promote social inclusion.

"We need to start seeing the person rather than just the drug and to encourage people to seek help early, rather than hide the problem."

According to Ms Bleeker this is a community problem with a community solution.

"The solution is very much in the community's hands around this issue and that means working effectively with police as well as education and community groups."

The forum will be held tonight at East Maitland Bowling Club at 6:30pm.

Pictured: the drug 'ice'. Photo Courtesy of the ABC.