Ice. During the past few years, those innocuous three letters have taken on a whole new meaning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For many in our community they represent an unknown – something we know we should fear, but something we don’t really expect to encounter in our suburban existence.
Yes, we hear tales of ice users having superhuman strength.
We see before and after photographs documenting an ice addict’s physical decline.
But doesn’t that happen to people somewhere else? Surely not here in Maitland.
We know that crystal methamphetamine can cause violent mood swings, hallucinations and paranoia.
We read horrific tales of what people do when under the influence.
But are we truly aware of just how prevalent it has become, right here in the Lower Hunter?
We know ice can be smoked, injected and snorted.
But can we really comprehend that a clandestine drug laboratory could be operating in our suburb?
Possibly our street?
Maybe even in the house next door?
We need to accept this and open our eyes.
Central Hunter crime manager Detective Inspector John Zdrilic is so concerned he has made a public appeal for the people of Maitland to actively join the fight.
On page one of today’s Mercury Inspector Zdrilic lists a number of indicators often associated with production of the illicit substance, and calls on us all to be vigilant and report anything out of the ordinary.
Inspector Zdrilic said that, in the past, more drugs were imported than manufactured locally.
That has changed.
Please – if you see anything out of the ordinary, call Maitland police station on 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
