THIS year the Liberal National Government is ramping up efforts to crack down on the drug dealers who are peddling ice and other methamphetamines.There is no doubt that the use of ice is of great concern in our region.[pullquote align="left or right"]There is an increase in the number of methamphetamine users switching to the crystalline form known as ice, they are using more frequently, and the purity of the drug has tripled....[/pullquote]In December there were 50 people arrested on more than 300 drugs charges in the small town of Bowen, mostly related to the supply and distribution of ice.And there are many anecdotal reports of the prevalence of “ice”, “shards”, “gear” and “uppers” in our community, particularly among our young people.Regardless of what you call it, this is a life-destroying substance which will have devastating effects on users and their families.The latest statistics on this drug point to the need for action.The result of this is greater harm to individuals using the drug and more extreme behaviour for families and law enforcement officers to deal with.The Liberal National Government, under the direction of Assistant Minister for Health Senator Fiona Nash, has asked the newly-reshaped Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs (ANACAD) to provide advice on how to tackle this problem as a first priority.This year the Liberal National Government is providing about $200 million for drug and alcohol treatment, research and education.There is also a greater focus on collaboration between agencies and across federal and state police because no one single agency can tackle this issue alone.