Wimmera Drug Action Taskforce co-ordinator Sally Pymer said, although drug use was high in regional Victoria, all areas were prone to alcohol and drug consumption. 

Her comments come after the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIA) released its latest report last week showing crystal methylamphetamine, ice, use had increased in regional Victoria.

The report, called the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, also revealed Victoria had the highest average regional consumption of oxycodone in the country.

“People take drugs for multiple reasons and they can often be a way to forget about life’s problems,” Ms Pymer said.

“People in rural areas can often be more socially isolated and may find it harder to ask for help due to confidentiality within smaller communities and stigma associated with substance use.”

She said the main drugs used in the Wimmera were alcohol and cannabis, although there was some methamphetamine use.

“Trends of drug use change over the years according to availability, supply and cost,” she said.

“This may vary between metropolitan and regional areas.”

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the ACIC report was evidence that Victoria’s drug crisis was getting worse, not better.

“It’s yet more proof that Daniel Andrews’ Ice Action Plan is a dud,” Ms Kealy said.

“The lives of addicts and their families are being destroyed by insidious drugs like ice and heroin while Daniel Andrews plays politics with drug addiction.

“Regional Victorians could have access to additional residential rehabilitation if Daniel Andrews hadn’t dropped the former Liberal Nationals government’s plan when he was elected.

“Labor’s backflip three years later was little comfort to Victorians struggling with addiction and their families who desperately need access to these services now.”

ACIA chief executive officer Michael Phelan said the rise of ice use in regional Victoria was “highly concerning”.

“This destructive drug is having a terrible impact not only on users, but on families, first responders, health practitioners and the community more broadly,” Mr Phelan said.

He said the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program provided a clear picture of changing trends in the consumption of 12 different drugs across Australia.

“Armed with this information, government, health and law enforcement agencies can better target policy and operational responses and reduce the impact of drugs in our society,” he said.

The report also provided conservative estimates of the weight of methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin consumed nationally in a year.

“We estimate that over 8.3 tonnes of methylamphetamine is consumed in Australia each year, as well as over 3 tonnes of cocaine, 1.2 tonnes of MDMA and 700 kilograms of heroin,” Mr Phelan said.

“Such estimates can then be compared with other data, such as the weight of drugs seized by law enforcement, to further enrich our collective understanding of these drug markets and identify the most effective supply, demand and harm reduction measures.”

Wastewater samples were collected during October and December 2017, and covered 12 different substances.

Forty-five wastewater sites were monitored nationally in December 2017, covering 54.3 per cent of Australia’s population.

Ms Pymer said people seeking support for alcohol and other drug use could contact Grampians Community Health on 5362 1200 or Uniting Wimmera or 5362 4000.