PRIMARY Health Networks on the Darling Downs will be given more than $5million from the Federal Government in the crackdown on the region’s ice scourge.

LNP candidate for Maranoa David Littleproud and Minister for Rural Health Fiona Nash announced the $5.47 million in funding in Stanthorpe on Friday.

Mr Littleproud said the local PHN would start using the money to provide various rehabilitation services from July 1.

“This is an all-of-government approach,” he said.

“We must help users get off this drug while we crack down on dealers.”

Mr Littleproud said ice was playing havoc in regional communities in the Maranoa electorate.

“I have always advocated that local problems need local solutions and this huge injection of funds to Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network Limited will allow it to roll out local programs that are specifically designed to combat the spread of ice in our community,” he said.

“Our local PHN will be funded to develop drug treatment services and help reduce the demand for this very dangerous drug.”

Senator Nash although delivery of such services has traditionally been the responsibility of state governments, the Federal Coalition Government had recognised the ice issue was urgent, and had acted.

“David Littleproud has lobbied me endlessly on this issue, and I'm so pleased we are able to deliver this funding,” she said.

“The scourge of ice often hits regional communities hardest.

“I have visited countless regional towns and spoken with hundreds of families grappling with the impact of this terrible drug - including here in Stanthorpe and across the Maranoa electorate.”

The Nationals senator said police, health workers and the National Ice Taskfore had made it clear that arrest was not the way out of the ice scourge.　　　　　

“To break the drug dealer's business model, we have to smash demand for their terrible product,” she said.

“That's what we're doing by delivering funding via 31 local Primary Health Networks, we are helping people get off ice and reducing demand for this horrible drug.”

This approach was recommended by the Federal Government’s National Ice Taskforce led by the former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Mr Ken Lay APM.

The Government asked the Taskforce to provide advice on the development of a National Ice Action Strategy.