The Lyndon Community’s deputy chief executive officer said the Australian Crime Commission’s report made some “big claims” about the cost and amount of methamphetamines that are available.

The report identified ice as the greatest drug threat facing the Australian public, but Dr Allan said she did not agree.

“I’m not convinced it’s an epidemic,” Dr Allan said.

“Usually 10 per cent of the population have used drugs, and about half use drugs regularly. It’s been that way for a long time. We have seen some small increases in the numbers, but it’s not enough to make a difference.”

She said drug users often used whatever illicit substances they could get their hands on, which in Orange was often ice.

“We’re not seeing the growth in using ice as high as the report claims,” she said.

“We’re seeing a reduction in the amount of amphetamines, or speed, that is being used, and those people are turning to ice. 

“They use what they can get, and it’s fairly easy to get it [ice] in the region.”

The report also states Australians pay around $635 a gram for ice, but Dr Allan said that figure was closer to $100 a gram, which she said made the drug cheap and accessible to a wider group of people.

She said the report’s warning of an increase in non-users becoming involved with ice-fuelled violence corresponded with a growth in the purity and strength of the drug.

“There’s been an increase in ambulance call outs, in police call outs. It’s true it’s stronger. People who use it become angry, paranoid, often think people are talking about them,” Dr Allan said.

“If those people would go on a binge, they could become aggressive or violent, and if other people try to stop them, they could get hurt.”

alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au