It gets hold of you': Crystal meth from Myanmar floods Australia streets

The Australian Federal Police estimates that 70 percent of the crystalline methamphetamine, commonly known as ice or crystal meth, circulating in Australia originates from northeastern Myanmar, particularly near the Golden Triangle region. This remote area is significant as a production site for the drug, which then makes its perilous journey through Southeast Asia before reaching Australian shores by sea. This alarming statistic sheds light on the international drug trade and its implications for public health in Australia.

In recent findings from a National Drug Strategy survey, it was revealed that approximately 1 in 100 Australians aged 14 and above have used ice in the past year, primarily in major cities. This data underscores the growing prevalence of methamphetamine use in urban areas, with about 7.5 percent of the population admitting to trying the drug at some point in their lives. The statistics highlight a concerning trend regarding addiction and drug dependency in the country.

Charlie Samson, a Melbourne resident, shared his personal struggle with ice addiction, stating that he first tried the drug at 18. From casual use, he quickly spiraled into addiction, revealing, 'the next week, we did the same thing, and then it snowballed from there.' His experience illustrates how quickly drug use can escalate into dependency, which not only impacted his health but also led to a significant financial burden, with his addiction costing him around 2,500 Australian dollars a week despite holding a well-paying job.

Samson's mother, Vanessa, emphasized the physical toll of his addiction, noting that during its peak, her son had lost so much weight that 'his ribs were sticking out.' This statement reflects the severe impact of ice on users' health and well-being, further corroborated by the government's campaigns that label ice users as psychotic and violent. The situation raises concerns about societal perceptions of addiction and the urgent need for empathy and support in addressing these challenges.

Read at www.aljazeera.com