Australia's PM announces taskforce to tackle drug "ice"

Australia's approach to tackle the scourge of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," will be overhauled after Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced a new national taskforce for the "drug epidemic" on Wednesday.

Abbott said the coordinated effort would ensure every state and territory took the "menace" of ice seriously.

"As a citizen and as a parent I am appalled at what is happening on our streets and in our homes," said Abbott.

"Ice is far more addictive than any other illicit drug. It does far more damage than any other illicit drug."

At a street price of 500 U.S. dollars a gram, methamphetamine is eight times higher than China's street price.

Former Victoria Police commissioner Key Lay will coordinate local, state and federal efforts to curb the use, sale, manufacture and interception of the drug.

The taskforce will develop a national ice action strategy and submit an interim report to Abbott by the middle of the year.

It will examine all existing efforts to address ice and identify ways to take a systematic, comprehensive and coordinated approach to education, health and law enforcement.

The prime minister hopes to discuss the report with his state counterparts at the first subsequent meeting of the Council of Australian Governments. Endi