On Thursday, the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug Ice was launched. During the Inquiry, hearings will be held across the state, including in Dubbo and Broken Hill.

It will look at the prevalence and impact of ice, the adequacy of existing measures to target ice and ways to strengthen the response to ice, such as law enforcement measures and rehabilitation.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the commission in November as a way to bolster the existing efforts to "combat the threat of ice".

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The commission aims to hear from people who have experienced ice as well as their families. Members of the public will also be invited to share their views. 

In her opening address at the first hearing, Senior Counsel Assisting Sally Dowling said preliminary submissions received by the inquiry showed the use of crystal methamphetamine was very prevalent in the community and could cause significant harm to users, their families and the broader community.

"It will be important for the commission to identify and understand the underlying drivers that lead people to use crystal methamphetamine and other illicit amphetamine stimulants," Ms Dowling said. 

"These are complex issues but it is well recognised that problematic drug use and drug dependence are rooted in social disadvantage including poverty, unemployment, homeless and such other factors that led people to despair or lose faith in themselves and in their futures."

Ms Dowling said those living outside cities were more likely to have used drugs.

"Recently data indicates people who live in remote and very remote areas are two and a half times more likely to use methamphetamines as those in major cities," Ms Dowling said.

"In regional, rural and remote areas access to alcohol and other drug services are limited, where services are available the resources are not as effective as those available in metropolitan areas. This is often due to difficulties in recruiting, training and retaining appropriately trained staff in those areas.

"Residential rehab and with facilities are particularly scarce."

Indigenous Australians also had a higher prevalence of drug use, Ms Dowling said.

In 2016, 27 per cent of Indigenous Australians had used an illicit drug in the last 12 months, compared to 15 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians.

Submissions are open until May 7. They can be made through the commission website at iceinquiry.nsw.gov.au.

The commission will hand down its findings in October.