ICE, THE HARD STUFF

POLICE fear a violent change in the city's drug culture following the first
seizure of the deadly designer drug ice on Melbourne's streets.

Police warned the highly toxic drug was deadlier than crack cocaine, could
spark sudden and extremne violence, and induce 30-hour highs.

"The experts tell us users really do turn to violence when under the
influence of ice and that is one of the great concerns that we have," drug
squad head Chief Insp. John McKoy said.

"Crack cocaine is a notorious drug for causing violence, this drug is worse
than crack," he said.

"It is a very powerful stimulant, no other drug damages the body as much."

About 200g of ice with a street value of $1 million was allegedly seized
when four Indonesian nationals were arrested by special operations group
officers at 7pm on Thursday in Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn.

The arrests followed a two-month operation - code-named Japura - by drug
squad officers, with help from the Australian Customs Service.

It is believed the ice, or crystallised methyl-amphetamine, was imported as
no manufacturing equipment was found in subsequent searches of properties
in Hawthorn and the city area.

The haul was the largest by state police, although customs officers and
federal police agents have made substantial seizures at entry points into
Australia in the past year.

Chief Insp. McKoy said police intelligence suggested the drug was confined
to a small market at present among tertiary students from one particular
institution.

He said the investigation was continuing.

Chief Insp. McKoy said users should be aware of the dangers.

"Ice has been described by experts as possibly the most dangerous drug on
the market," he said.

"It is extremely toxic and has a very, very bad effect on people who are
using it."

"Small quantIties give the users a very, very high feeling of euphoria,
however when they withdraw they withdraw more severely than with any other
drug."

"It's deadlier and more addictive than crack."

"It even scares some experienced junkies and it makes them feel like they
are going to explode."

Chief Insp. McKoy said users tended to continue to use the drug "because
once they start to withdraw it gives them the worst feeling possible over
and above every type of other illicit drug".

He said ice was more expensive than heroin, which could help stop it
becoming widely used.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan