IT’S the drug destroying lives, causing addiction after just one use – and it’s prevalent in Bathurst. Far more addictive than heroin, ice is one of the most destructive drugs on the illicit market in its physical, mental and behavioural effects.  NSW Police and Crime Stoppers this week launched an advertising campaign that aims to mobilise the community in the fight against ice and help police shut down drug syndicates. Chifley Local Area Command acting crime manager Inspector Chris Reay says ice, along with cannabis, is the drug of choice in Bathurst. Inspector Reay said while police maintain their focus on trying to stop the manufacture and distribution of the drug, education is vital to stop people experimenting with ice. “Its stronger potency means it is highly addictive. This is a drug that, even if it is used once, you’re addicted,” he said. While the drug itself has been around for many years, Inspector Reay said not only was it becoming more popular, it was also becoming more concentrated, with devastating effects. “Even taking it once, users can experience episodes of psychosis where they do things to themselves or other people,” he said. “Users become violent, very violent, and are extremely hard to restrain. “Sometimes that person is so strong it’s almost like they are superhuman; you can have 10 people trying to hold them down and still can’t stop them.” When it comes to ice, he said, prevention is far better than cure. “We try to educate people, make them understand how bad the consequences can be. “Literally, if you use it once, you can become addicted. “This drug can destroy your life. “Once someone has taken it, it’s done. You rarely see people get off it. It consumes them; it’s all they can think about. “You see people using coke, heroin or cannabis, and for a while they can generally control it or keep a handle on it; sooner or later it gets the better of them. But with ice, from the first use it controls you. “And money is no object. “Addicts will do whatever they need to do to get their next hit. “Generally, they commit crimes. A lot of property crime is linked to use of ice, because their whole life revolves around funding that addiction.” He said police encouraged parents to speak to their children about the dangers and educate them about saying no to drugs. NSW Police and Crime Stoppers are asking for the community’s help in the fight against ice. NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, who was part of the launch of a campaign on Wednesday that seeks to mobilise the community, says members of the public can play a critical role in helping police shut down drug supply syndicates. Commissioner Scipione said the campaign will remind residents of NSW about the far-reaching effects one call to Crime Stoppers can yield. “In September 2012, a single, anonymous call to Crime Stoppers led to the seizure of 585 kilograms of ice,” he said. “Make no mistake about it: this call stopped millions of deals from making it to the street, preventing untold harm, and, no doubt, saving countless lives. “Since the beginning of 2013, we have shut down and dismantled more than 250 labs and seized more than one-and-a-half tonnes of methylamphetamine.  “Anonymous calls from members of the public played a critical role in helping us close many of those labs.”