The National Ice Taskforce should focus on prevention and treatment rather than a solely punitive law enforcement approach, according to experts from the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Dr Louise Roufeil, Executive Manager of Professional Practice at the APS, said, “If you really want to address the ‘ice’ problem in Australia, you also need to look at prevention as well as helping those who are addicted. Although there are effective treatments, users and their families currently find it difficult to access that help.
“We need to make it easier for people to access effective help. It is not just a case of supporting people to withdraw from ice; it is also about providing ongoing psychological support to address the underlying issues driving the addiction and the social and relationship damage created by the addiction.”
She said it required a coordinated early intervention and treatment approach incorporating risk minimisation and harm reduction, brief intervention, withdrawal and detoxification, residential rehabilitation and proven psychological intervention.
“Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of psychological treatments, especially cognitive behaviour therapy, for regular amphetamine users,” Dr Roufeil said.
Australian clinical treatment guidelines have been developed and provide a step-by-step guide to structured psychological treatment for regular amphetamine users. Improved access to psychological interventions provided as part of coordinated care that includes residential rehabilitation, evidence-based psychological treatment, and the provision of support for families affected by an individual's ice use would offer a route to recovery for users and their families.
“Addiction is primarily a health issue and it responds to psychological treatment,” she said.
The APS has provided a written submission to the National Ice Taskforce. The APS submission is number 50 and can be found here:
For more information, or to arrange an interview call the APS Media team on 03 8662 3358 / 0435 896 444, or email. Find the APS Media team on Twitter: @AustPsych
The APS is the largest professional organisation for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 27,000 members. The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to people’s lives, through improving psychological knowledge and community wellbeing.