The pervasive drug has invaded communities throughout the region (and the rest of Australia) in recent years, killing users, wrecking lives, destroying families, creating a new class of addicts - some after only one hit - and sparking its own crime wave.

Use of ice, or methylamphetamine, and fentanyl and other pharmaceutical drugs is rising. 

Governments have mounted national and statewide campaigns to fight the ice problem.

But, it is not a battle won quickly or easily. It will be a long war. 

On Friday in Dubbo, NSW Police launched a new front in that war which aims to increase awareness in the Aboriginal community of the danger posed to communities by ice and the illegal use of potent medications.

The police worked with Aboriginal community liaison officers, health industry stakeholders and Aboriginal elders and community members to develop the “Not Our Way” campaign.

It includes a video where two former ice users share their tragic stories, which highlight the danger to anyone caught in the dangerous grip of ice, and their loved ones and the wider community.

Police Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie emphasised the issue was serious, “topical and really important”.

He said research showed Aboriginal communities were at greater risk of developing long-term drug use and police were tackling the challenge with them before people faced jail time and serious health impacts.

An important factor in the campaign is that “this is an initiative for and by Aboriginal people”. Co-operation between police and the community gives everyone a stake in making the project successful. Ice is not a problem to be dealt with only by police.

“Not Our Way” focuses attention on warning signs families and friends can use to identify if a loved one is in drug danger.

That is also important. Spotting a drug problem early on and acting firmly to treat it would limit – and hopefully eliminate – some of the horrors that ripple through society from use and addiction.

Centres in Orana have been seriously impacted by ice and other drug use and the consequent crime spike. It is time we all became soldiers in the ice war.