Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 19 September this year, tragedy unfolded in my electorate of Mackellar. An Avalon mother, a hairdresser and valued member of our community, was tragically stabbed to death by her own son. Rumours of drug use—particularly ice—ran rabid, sparking many discussions around the rise of ice use on the Northern Beaches.

Unfortunately we are becoming all too familiar with this epidemic and the damage ice addiction is inflicting on our communities. What can we do? It is a question I am asked over and over again. What is the government doing? We are spending $10 million to spread the message about the severe risks around ice use to would-be users and to let them know where they can get help. You can help too—help spread the message that it's okay to seek help, and where it is available. We can fund rehabs, treatment facilities and medical institutions all we want, but it won't make a difference if we can't get the people who need treatment there. In the wider North Shore area alone, groups like ACON, the Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Centre, Odyssey House and New Horizons provide counselling and rehabilitation treatments. I will be putting all this information on my website and Facebook page, and I encourage everyone to spread the information and help make our area healthier and safer for all.