Mandatory Rehabilitation for Ice Addicts – Will it Work?

Over the years, certain types of illicit drugs have gone in and out of fashion in Australia.

Crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice, is one of the most recent drugs in common use. Due to the popularity of ice, there have been calls for the government to take a hard-line stance against users and order them into mandatory rehabilitation if they are found guilty of a crime involving drug use.

What is ice?

Ice is a type of methamphetamine that is highly addictive. It works as a stimulant, speeding up the messages that travel between the brain and body. When smoked or injected, it can provide feelings of alertness, confidence and increased energy. The long-term side effects of using ice include weight loss, heart problems, anxiety and depression, as well as a number of other health and social issues.

The speed at which people develop a dependence on ice, and the body’s ability to build up a tolerance, means that people who are addicted often find they need to consume increasing amounts. Ice addiction can lead to work and financial difficulties, and mean that habitual users are more likely to end up committing crimes as a way to pay for the drug.

One of the most alarming side effects of ice, one that is often reported in the media, is the violent and aggressive behaviour that can be displayed by those high on the drug. Taking too much ice can invoke a type of psychosis, which can make people act irrationally and aggressively, and lead them to commit acts of serious violence.

What is the link between ice addiction and crime?

The use of methamphetamine is reported to be on the increase and this has led to concerns about a corresponding rise in crime. Figures from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show a 25.9% increase in the number of arrests for the possession or use of methamphetamines in 2014. These figures were said by BOCSAR director Dr Don Weatherburn to be consistent with other data suggesting a rise in methamphetamine consumption in Australia.

As well as offences relating to the use and supply of drugs, methamphetamine and other drug addictions can also be a root cause of breaking and entering, robbery, and assault offences.

Ice users in particular can commit serious offences when they are on the drug due to some of the side effects, which can include psychotic delusions, hallucinations and aggression. It is this volatility and unpredictability, and its effect on families and members of the public, which has led to calls for mandatory rehabilitation to be brought in.

How does the current court-mandated rehab system work?

Drug rehabilitation is sometimes ordered when a person who has a drug or alcohol dependence is convicted of a crime. Currently, this is at the discretion of the magistrate or judge.

The drug courts and rehabilitation programs that are aimed at those found guilty of a crime are conditional on a number of factors. Generally they are taken as an alternative to a harsh sentence or as a pre-sentencing option, with the possibility of a reduced sentence if they are completed successfully.

Drug courts have a positive effect when it comes to reducing recidivism and drug use among participants. They are therefore considered to be a desirable alternative to a full time custodial sentence in many cases. But the drug court program is not compulsory. If drug rehabilitation programs were made mandatory for ice users, those who end up in court would be required to undergo some form of rehabilitation, whether they were willing or not.

So is mandatory rehabilitation likely to work?

The success of drug rehabilitation programs depends largely on the willingness of the participants to admit they have an addiction and to want to get help. There are concerns that forcing ice addicts to undergo rehabilitation for a certain amount of time against their will is not likely to be effective in reducing the problem in the long term.

For some, the idea of legal ramifications for not participating may be strong enough to motivate them to complete rehabilitation and maintain a longer-term healthier lifestyle. This may not be the case for others, and it would also seem to be unlikely that mandatory drug rehabilitation for those convicted of criminal offences would act as any form of deterrent.