The drug, commonly known as ice, is also leading to theft, family violence, assault and property damage across the Wimmera.

Horsham Senior Constable Dennis Foster said ice was a highly addictive drug, which often caused people to turn on their families. He said some users could spend up to $300 a day for ice.

"About half of the thefts we have can be attributed to drugs," he said. "People worship ice and must have it so they are prepared to steal from their family and friends to get it, which is quite sad.

"A lot of people on ice have psychotic episodes, which can lead to family violence and they can also be quite menacing with weapons. If you talk to ice users, they will tell you they love it but they will eventually crash."

Wimmera Drug Action Taskforce co-ordinator Brendan Scale said the drug was infiltrating social circles across the Wimmera.

"In Horsham we can't deny that it exists because it is in most social circles now. It is not just in what we would call the drug arena," he said.

"There are families on the brink of breakdown. We are seeing people with young families who are splitting, having their children taken off them and are going to court for legal proceedings. There is pretty much a guarantee that if you use ice reasonably regularly, it will get the better of you. The bottom line is that it will change you."

Mr Scale encouraged people affected by ice to seek help. He said Wimmera residents could help police tackle ice by providing information about the drug.

"A lot of our work here is treatment, but if we can work towards prevention and early intervention we are doing a much better job," he said. "If people do have information about ice, I would encourage them to go to the police because people's lives are being destroyed.

Mr Scale said people could call Grampians Community Health on 5362 1200 for help with ice addiction.