For Immediate Release
Contact
Cyrus Brooks
02 9692 7308
0428 755 244
27 Aug 07
Anti-drug Group Vows to Fight Meth Abuse Across the State

Drug Free Ambassadors Australia has announced a much need "injection" of the
"Truth about Ice" into the community across the state as the headlines splash of
violence and tragedy.

An ambulance worker noted recently they they would "be lucky not to see two or three
Ice overdoses a night." It's an indicator of a growing problem, and it's the
psychosis and physical danger much associated with Ice that makes it such sensational copy
for the media.

Behind the headlines are real stories, people who have gone through it and survived, and
people that are doing their damndest to prevent more ruined lives. Cyrus Brooks, spokesman
for the Drug Free Ambassadors, tells about that crusade.

"We're getting out to the fairs and festivals, rave parties and schools, working
with police and like-minded groups," Brooks said. "Out booklets are no-nonsense
information, that doesn't go overboard and just try to scare people, but doesn't go
the other way and get wishy-washy either. Drugs DO cause severe damage to the person and
community. Now everyone will really get why."

What is it? Ice is the common name for crystal methamphetamine. It is just one form of the
drug methamphetamine, a stimulant. You may have heard the names, speed (about 20 % purity
powder form), "base" (40% pure) which is more sticky and "ice" or
"crystal" which can be 80% pure methamphetamine. It's commonly snorted, smoked
or injected. The drug creates a false sense of happiness and well-being - a rush,
hyperactiveness and one also experiences decreased appetite. These drug effects generally
last from six to eight hours, but can last up to 24 hours. "I tried it once and BOOM! I
was addicted," said one meth addict who lost his family, friends, his profession as a
musician and ended up homeless. Long term effects can include Psychosis, Depression, Damage
to the brain similar Alzheimer's, heart attacks, stroke, death and epilepsy.

When you see a meth user, why do they sometimes have a lot of scabs on their skin? This is
one of the darker sides of the drug and a stage of use called Tweaking. In fact, an abuser
is most dangerous when experiencing this phase of the addiction. Tweaking occurs at the end
of a drug binge when methamphetamine no longer provides a rush or a high. Unable to relieve
the dreadful feelings of emptiness an craving, an abuser loses his sense of identity.
Intense itching is common and a user can become convinced that bugs are crawling under his
skin. His hallucinations are so vivid that they seem real and disconnected from reality, he
can become hostile and dangerous to himself and others. The potential for self-mutilation is
high.

"The amazing thing about drug use is that it doesn't bring drug knowledge. People
may know the experience, but don't know what the drug is really doing to them. This is
why the Truth about Drugs campaign is so important. Our campaign was started by the Church
of Scientology, but now we have everyone involved. Other Church or government organizations
and schools and even security or rave organisers are coming aboard. Our next foray into the
drug scourge will be a large printing and distribution of the Ice booklet across the State
and we are calling on all those interested in helping to contact us," said Brooks.

For more information, contact info@drugfreeambassadors.org.au or 02 9692 7308.