THE Macedon Ranges Local Safety Committee has secured a $10,000 Community Ice Action grant for support services to reduce the effects of the problem drug. The funding is part of a total $24.6 million State Government package to expand treatment services, support families and strengthen communities across Victoria Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes made the grant announcements last week. We know the damage ice can inflict on communities, not just in my electorate of Northern Victoria, but across Victoria, Ms Symes said. The Victorian Governments Ice Action Plan is about supporting families, communities and individuals battling with this highly addictive drug. Ms Symes said different people need different kinds of drug treatment. What is important is to engage the local community of Northern Victoria so that, together, we can develop local solutions for local problems with the assistance of the Victorian Government, she said. This funding ensures families and communities have the support services they need, when they need them and it will help to reduce the terrible impact ice is having on Victorian families. Community groups throughout rural and regional Victoria have applied for grants of up to $10,000 to help combat ice in their local area. The Victorian Government provided $500,000 to fund grassroots Community Ice Action Groups across regional and rural Victoria. The funding will allow local community members to come together for the first time to develop local solutions in the fight against ice and for other groups to build on existing successful locally-based responses. A range of activities including forums, production and development of communications, promotion of education opportunities and the evaluation of these initiatives and interventions will be supported. The community grants are part of the Victorian Governments $45.5 million action plan to reduce the supply, demand and harm of a drug that is ruining lives.