Queensland University of Technology: Australia's Ice Epidemic Essay

This essay examines the claim that Australia is in the "grips of an Ice Epidemic," focusing on methamphetamine use. It provides an abstract defining methamphetamine and its effects, followed by an introduction that supports the statement. A literature review explores rising usage rates, highlighting prevalence among various populations and the increasing purity of the drug. The essay details the health, social, and economic harms associated with ice, including psychosis, violence, and impacts on communities. It analyzes short-term and long-term effects on individuals, including neurological and behavioral changes. The essay also discusses the impact of ice on communities and the need for harm reduction strategies and treatment programs to address this significant public health crisis. The paper also outlines the policies enacted and law enforced for the same and the treatment required to end the drug abuse.