Many of Victoria, Australia’s schools are awash in ice, a devastating illegal drug also known as crystal methamphetamine. Principles are desperate and need help, while some teachers work in pairs for safety.
Here are some examples of what has happened in recent times in Victoria schools.
• a former student experiencing an ice induced psychotic episode drove his car into the school and ran barefoot into the office, asking for help
• students affected by ice showing up to class, unable to learn
• a business manager at a metropolitan school stole money from the school to fuel their ice addiction
• one school hired a motel for a Year 12 student whose mother was an ice addict. The student wanted a decent sleep during their VCE exams but their mother did not sleep for weeks on end, keeping her awake.
• one rural school asked staff to work in pairs for safety reasons
The problem centers around schools where there is a high number of disadvantaged students, many of whom experience mental health issues, family breakdowns, unstable housing, poverty and had involvement with child protection. Most of them are 17 or 18-years-old.
Schools are “totally overwhelmed,” said Jackson Oppy, the general manager of one of Melbourne’s largest rehab clinics. They witness behavior they have never seen before, he said.
“Kids are psychotic, aggressive. They are turning up to schools with no sleep for days and sitting in classes with glazed eyes staring forward,” he said.
Students using ice lose their ability to concentrate and grades plummet.
Parents fear to report their children’s use of ice for fear that they will end up in the justice system, while schools are trying to balance competing obligations to the student and to protect the wider school community.
Even parents are often ice users. Sometimes they show up at remote, rural schools and frighten teachers.
Solving the ice problem is difficult. It is so gripping that those caught up in it desperately try to get another ice hit and will steal money or valuables or commit violence to get it.
According to Jesus, the last days will be marked with social perplexities that will destabilize the nations.
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring…” Luke 21:25.