In partnership with Alcohol and Drug Foundation and NSW Health, Moree’s Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) will host the event call ‘breaking the ice in our community’.

President Linda Woodbridge said the team saw a need for a factual forum for community members.

“Questions were being asked about the truths surrounding ice use with the need to know more specific information,” she said.

Team member Rod Tighe, a worker in Community Health, was able to tee up Adrian Dunlop from Hunter New England Health as a speaker on the evening.

Team coordinator Helena Hodgson asked Annie Bleeker from the Australian Drug Foundation to also share her knowledge with the Moree community.

Stigma will be a large topic covered during the forum along with treatment, law enforcement and community support.

“One of the things stopping people from seeking treatment earlier is the fear of being stigmatised.

“It takes on average 10 years for someone to access treatment which is a long time for an individual and their family to be struggling,” Ms Bleeker said.

Detective Inspector David Silversides from Barwon LAC also agreed to be part of the night.

“There are so many wonderful programs available in this town and we often hear ‘well why isn’t things improving with all these services?’ so we hope the night can connect services and lead to a cohesive solution,” she said.

Registrations will begin from 6pm at the Moree and District Services Club followed by a Welcome to Country by Tom French.

“We will explain what CDAT is and how people can get involved.

“We are hoping to attract more active members,” Mrs Woodbridge said.

From there, the speakers will take the floor sharing their relative information about ice.

“Adrian will share a more clinical side and Annie is involved in the social effects to the community.

“David will hopefully speak about the recent busts and about the flows of supply,” she said.

Question time has been scheduled for attendees.

“This is a time for people to ask specific questions and get factual information back.”

More than 70 people have registered online for the free forum, with CDAT estimating an extra 20 showing up on the evening.