The Greater Hume Council was one of two organisations across the country successful in landing a grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to implement “operation defrost”.

The idea, to create a media project about ice abuse, was developed by young people at the ABC’s Heywire Regional Youth Summit in February.

The Culcairn application to implement idea six out of 19 received $4693, next to only Mount Gambier.

Council’s youth advisory committee secretary Emily Jones, 17, said the initiative would take shape in the form of a play.

“I think we were all unanimous this was something we really wanted to do, because drug affect many people around here,” she said.

“It’s obvious walking around the community.

“We see how things like this affects people’s mental health and stance in the community, whether it’s them or their family that’s involved.

“We wanted to be able to connect youth on youth, so we thought of a really cool way to present it.”

Youth development officer Susan Kane said the play, which would take place in March, was a tweak on the original ABC idea to interview young people impacted by drugs.

“The operation defrost grant came along, we looked at it and thought we can’t really do that as it stands, because it’s a small community,” she said. Ms Kane said the play would be developed with HotHouse Theatre and performed at St Paul’s College and Billabong High School.

“Rooftop Media will film it … we could take it to neighbouring shires, either the play or the resource, so they can see what we’ve done and other young people can experience that,” she said.

“Prior to that, we need professionals to come out and speak to anyone that wants to be involved.

“There’s a policeman in Albury who deals with this area, just so when we do the play it’s accurate.” Youth advisory committee chairman Taylor Manton, 17, said the most important aspect was one message in particular.

“You don’t have to be stuck with it - and there is life after it,” he said.

“I really like what we’re doing with it.”