The Director of Critical Care at Tamworth Hospital says he’s seen an increase in patients admitted for using the drug ice over the past few years.
Doctor Phil Hungerford heads up the Emergency Department, and said the numbers of ice-related admissions remains low in comparison to alcohol-related admissions, but he believes those passing through the ED represent only a fraction of the wider use in the community.
Doctor Hungerford said an increase in ice use could put a strain on hospital resources, and ice users pose a danger to themselves and to hospital staff.
“We see probably a patient every couple of months but for every one we see there’s a hundred more out in the community that just don’t come across our radar,” he said.
“If the community problem with ice grows it’ll put a strain on us but of course it’ll put an even bigger strain on the community and the police, and the drug and alcohol services.
“We probably see the tip of the iceberg, I’m sure there’s a lot more that happens out in the community than we actually have contact with.”
Doctor Hungerford said ice-users are extremely violent and are often in the throes of a psychotic episode, and require sedation in order to be treated.
“When they’re bought in they are sometimes quite violent, they’re a danger to themselves and they’re a danger to the staff trying to control them,” he said.