Community enlisted in ice battle

Sports clubs and community groups are being enlisted to tackle the scourge of the illegal drug ice.

The federal government will provide $40 million over four years on innovative ways to educate young people about the dangers of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice.

Helping empower local communities was a key recommendation of the National Ice Taskforce report.

Senator Fiona Nash, the minister in charge of drug and alcohol policy, said $19.2 million would go to 220 local community drug action teams to run forums and provide educational resources.

The popular Life Education Van - which visits 600,000 upper primary school-aged students every year - will get an extra $450,000 to educate children about the dangers of ice.

The Good Sports program, which already promotes responsible consumption of alcohol in 7000 sporting clubs, will receive an extra $4.6 million over four years.

"Good Sports helps to work through issues around alcohol consumption and now we have a process to work through the issue of illicit drugs," said Australian Drug Foundation CEO John Rogerson, who oversees the program.

A further $15 million will be spent on an advertising campaign, using mainstream and social media.