‘It doesn’t take long for ice to cause damage’: Federal Government launches schoolies anti-drug campaign

Young Australians have been warned against the dangers of illicit substances in the Federal government’s latest anti-drugs campaign as Schoolies week approaches.

The lead 30 second commercial reverses an ice addict’s life from lying lifeless in an alley to playing rugby as a healthy young teenager.

“You stop sleeping, you stop caring,” the ad says while showing the man smashing a picture and buying ice.

“It doesn’t take long to cause damage. But the sooner you get help, the sooner you can take your life back from ice,” is the message the ad is aiming to promote.

The campaign also features stories about young people and parents who have been affected by ice and other party drugs.

Tom’s story shows his mother talking about how much she misses him, recalling how he died on the way to hospital after taking party drugs at a club.

Stephanie’s story shows how party drugs can trigger depression talking about how she partied “too hard” while she was at uni.

“I didn’t know that drugs would affect me this way,” Stephanie says.

A counsellor, another young man and parents also feature in the ads.