Published Sunday, 10 December, 2006 at 05:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
ICE TASKFORCE TO MEET BEFORE CHRISTMAS
The Beattie Government’s high-level Ice Taskforce will meet for the first time before Christmas and will be chaired by Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young, Premier Peter Beattie and Health Minister Stephen Robertson announced today when they released the Taskforce’s Terms of Reference.
Mr Beattie said Queensland Health had allocated $600,000 to roll-out a statewide education campaign targeting young Queenslanders about the dangers of the highly danger illicit drug.
The campaign will kick off in a matter of weeks and form part of the new whole-of-government ICE-Breaker Strategy which was announced last month
“Dr Young is the best person to head this taskforce, having worked in many areas of our health system, and has the clout and experience to get things done quickly,” Mr Beattie said.
“She will have Queensland Health’s Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs branch at her disposal to work with other Government agencies and spearhead the ICE-Breaker Strategy.
“Later this month, she will chair the first meeting of the taskforce with other senior representatives from health, justice, ambulance, education, communities, department of Premier and Cabinet, and law enforcement authorities including the CMC.
Mr Robertson said the taskforce would report directly to him and would present a response plan by the end of April 2007.
“This plan would include actions already underway, and recommendations for major initiatives, legislative changes or system reforms,” Mr Robertson said.
Mr Robertson said one of the Taskforce’s top priorities would be to initiate a multi-faceted education campaign which would commence in early 2007.
“To prevent use and mitigate addiction, the campaign is likely to feature strong media advertisements as well as visible signage and messages in tertiary education institutions, pubs and clubs and music festivals,” Mr Robertson said.
“The Beattie Government is determined to discourage as many Queenslanders as possible from using this highly addictive drug through the campaign and a number of other initiatives under the strategy.”
The Ice Taskforce’s Terms of Reference:
? Oversee the development and implementation of the Queensland Government’s Ice-Breaker Strategy to reduce uptake and use of methamphetamine and to reduce the harm associated with its use.
? Ensure that the Strategy focus is on prevention, treatment and law enforcement including:
o A statewide education campaign
o An assessment of public and non-government drug treatment services and other interventions to address amphetamine use
o A strong law enforcement approach to address manufacture, dealing and possession of amphetamines
o The banning of ‘ice’ pipes
o Working with General Practitioners to ensure appropriate prescribing of pseudoephedrine medicines
o Encouraging compliance of by pharmacists with regulations controlling the supply of pseudoephedrine.
? Ensure compliance with national policies such as the National Drug Strategy 2004-2009, and the draft National Amphetamine Type Stimulants Strategy 2006-2009.
? Ensure that Queensland initiatives complement those of other jurisdictions such as the Australian Government’s National Drugs Campaign Phase III.
? Contribute to national policy and program direction through the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy and the National Leadership Forum on Ice.
Reporting
The Taskforce will report directly to the Health Minister. A Response Plan developed by the Taskforce will be provided to the Minister by the end of April 2007.
MEDIA: Premier’s office John Algate 0439 727 107
Minister’s office Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 or 0409 069 056
Mr Beattie said Queensland Health had allocated $600,000 to roll-out a statewide education campaign targeting young Queenslanders about the dangers of the highly danger illicit drug.
The campaign will kick off in a matter of weeks and form part of the new whole-of-government ICE-Breaker Strategy which was announced last month
“Dr Young is the best person to head this taskforce, having worked in many areas of our health system, and has the clout and experience to get things done quickly,” Mr Beattie said.
“She will have Queensland Health’s Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs branch at her disposal to work with other Government agencies and spearhead the ICE-Breaker Strategy.
“Later this month, she will chair the first meeting of the taskforce with other senior representatives from health, justice, ambulance, education, communities, department of Premier and Cabinet, and law enforcement authorities including the CMC.
Mr Robertson said the taskforce would report directly to him and would present a response plan by the end of April 2007.
“This plan would include actions already underway, and recommendations for major initiatives, legislative changes or system reforms,” Mr Robertson said.
Mr Robertson said one of the Taskforce’s top priorities would be to initiate a multi-faceted education campaign which would commence in early 2007.
“To prevent use and mitigate addiction, the campaign is likely to feature strong media advertisements as well as visible signage and messages in tertiary education institutions, pubs and clubs and music festivals,” Mr Robertson said.
“The Beattie Government is determined to discourage as many Queenslanders as possible from using this highly addictive drug through the campaign and a number of other initiatives under the strategy.”
The Ice Taskforce’s Terms of Reference:
? Oversee the development and implementation of the Queensland Government’s Ice-Breaker Strategy to reduce uptake and use of methamphetamine and to reduce the harm associated with its use.
? Ensure that the Strategy focus is on prevention, treatment and law enforcement including:
o A statewide education campaign
o An assessment of public and non-government drug treatment services and other interventions to address amphetamine use
o A strong law enforcement approach to address manufacture, dealing and possession of amphetamines
o The banning of ‘ice’ pipes
o Working with General Practitioners to ensure appropriate prescribing of pseudoephedrine medicines
o Encouraging compliance of by pharmacists with regulations controlling the supply of pseudoephedrine.
? Ensure compliance with national policies such as the National Drug Strategy 2004-2009, and the draft National Amphetamine Type Stimulants Strategy 2006-2009.
? Ensure that Queensland initiatives complement those of other jurisdictions such as the Australian Government’s National Drugs Campaign Phase III.
? Contribute to national policy and program direction through the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy and the National Leadership Forum on Ice.
Reporting
The Taskforce will report directly to the Health Minister. A Response Plan developed by the Taskforce will be provided to the Minister by the end of April 2007.
MEDIA: Premier’s office John Algate 0439 727 107
Minister’s office Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 or 0409 069 056