An Andrews Labor Government will lay down the first steps to tackle the ice epidemic confronting Victoria’s suburbs and regional and rural towns.

Labor’s Ice Intervention will include an Ice Action Taskforce to deliver an Ice Action Plan within the first 100 days of an Andrews Labor Government, $15 million for new drug and booze buses and $500,000 to set up grassroots community action groups across regional Victoria.

Labor will also introduce four new offences including penalties for trafficking ice to school students, publishing or possessing instructions to manufacture ice and allowing use of premises for its manufacture or trafficking.

At the moment, crime rates, drug use and unemployment levels are rising in tandem. Labor’s whole-of-government plan will tackle ice both on the streets and at the source.

Quotes attributable to Mr Andrews:

“Youth unemployment in Victoria is the highest it’s been in 15 years. Under the Liberals, crime rates, drug use and unemployment levels have all risen in tandem. It can’t be a coincidence.

“Victorian Labor will confront this – both on our streets and at its source – and find a solution that makes our communities safer.

“Labor will introduce new offences, support the community and listen to the experts, but we also need to end the youth unemployment crisis and get young people back on track.”

Key Facts

• The Ice Action Taskforce will include representatives from government, Victoria Police, health services, mental health services, drug and alcohol support services, education experts and the Courts and will deliver an Ice Action Plan in the first 100 days of Andrews Labor Government.
• Community Ice Action Groups will assist communities to conduct forums, produce and develop communications, promote education opportunities and evaluate initiatives and interventions.
• Labor will investigate state-wide community awareness and education campaigns including advertising in partnership with community and sporting groups about the dangers of ice.
• The new offences targeting ice are: publishing or possessing instructions for ice; trafficking ice to a primary or secondary school student or near a school; allowing use of premises for its manufacture or trafficking and; trafficking ice associated with violence/threats.