The brutal murder of a 7 year old boy together with his grandmother in Lalor Park last Tuesday has left the community horrified over the terrible impact of family violence fuelled by ICE.

Witnessed by three other children, the 35 year old man stabbed his nephew and his mother to death in a neighbour’s yard. The man was a known ICE user.

ICE or Crystal Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug. When smoked or injected it gives a sudden, intense “high”. Feelings of pleasure and confidence are raised while there is an increase in alertness and energy. In high doses and after frequent use ICE can lead to paranoid delusions and hallucinations. It can cause bizarre, aggressive, unpredictable, violent behavior.

ICE is readily available. Sadly, many of those dealing on the streets are doing so to fund their own ICE additions.

The cost of this tragic drug on the community is horrific. Jacki Lambie, Senator for Tasmania, went public just recently as she spoke about the devastating impact her son’s ICE addiction is having on her family.

Nicole Lee from the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction says after-care support is essential. While detox and in-patient care are necessary, the key factor in dealing with this crisis is adequate care for people affected by ICE through the support of family, friends and the community.

Jesus is the great healer. And Jesus’ healings always focused on restoration. Jesus brought people to health by restoring them back into the community as people with dignity and purpose.

While the ICE manufacturers and those who peddle this drug need be targeted and brought to account, the victims of this terrible scourge (both the users and those impacted by the users) must never be forgotten.

In today’s Bible reading we are challenged to put our faith into action. I can see no better way of doing this than in being a community who is there for the restoration of others.

Whether its mental illness, the impact of family violence, trauma, addiction, dementia or simply dealing with the effects of growing old, let us always be there to encourage, nurture and support the dignity, the value and the wellbeing of others.

John Barr