INITIAL responses to an Ice Forum being held in Mackay indicate that use of the drug is widespread among young people, and it’s easily available.The youth organisation YIRS have conducted an anonymous survey among the young people they work with and the results were quite staggering.14 out of the 15 young people who participated in the survey were either using or had tried Ice.They also pointed out it was ‘easy to buy on social media’.This really highlights the seriousness of the problem and the need for action.Respondents stated the drug was addictive, a serious problem in the community and said there was not enough education about the effects.These young people have also outlined the changes they have seen in people who use Ice.They paint an ugly picture.They talk of: ‘paranoia’, ‘dehumanises people’, ‘pupils are larger/eyes are sunken in and have black rings under them’, ‘they don’t sleep for days’, ‘people turn on each other, their friends and families’ ‘they steal and are desperate’ and they have ‘sores on their face and arms/scratching like they have lice’.The other very disturbing point from this survey is that the drug is readily available through friends, dealers and on social media.YIRS are to be congratulated for their proactive engagement on the frontline of the fight against the Ice epidemic.These workers see the heartbreaking and devastating effects of Ice usage upfront, and they have much to contribute to the discussion on this issue.About 40 people will attend an Ice Forum in Mackay from 2pm today. Feedback from the event will be forwarded to the National Ice Taskforce to assist in the development of a national strategy to combat the Ice epidemic.