In rural and regional communities across Australia, authorities fear we are losing generations to an ice epidemic that is out of control.

Erin Kennedy is a Magistrate in the regional NSW town of Wagga Wagga.

Of the roughly 5000 cases she saw last year, more than 2000 of those were ice-related.

“I see reports from people saying that they started as young as nine,” she tells 60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort.

“It’s a drug that doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care who you are, or what background you came from. The addiction seems to be so incredibly strong.”

Magistrate Erin Kennedy says she has come across ice addicts who began using at the age of nine. (60 Minutes) (60 Minutes)

Wagga Wagga is home to more than 64,000 people.

Magistrate Kennedy has seen people from all walks of life in her courtroom who end up in prison because of their ice addiction.

“A farmer, three children, and he’s probably in his 50s. He’d be the last person you would think would be dabbling in that kind of a thing,” she said.

One local 23-year-old addict says he has been using and selling ice in Wagga Wagga for about seven years.

First introduced to the drug by a friend, it quickly turned into a daily habit that now costs him more than $1000 a week.

To fund his habit, he sells ice. In a good week he says he could make almost $10,000.

“It’s just indescribable. All of your worries just go away,” he says.

60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort speaks with a Wagga Wagga ice dealer, who did not want to be identified. (60 Minutes) (60 Minutes)

But seven years of use is taking a toll on his body, often spending up to a week without sleep and barely eating. He wishes he was never introduced to the drug.

“As soon as I have it, I’ve regretted having it. I notice the change that it has on me. I just turn into an a-------. Just an angry person when I’m on it.”

His story is a familiar one for local mother Karen Butts. Her 22-year-old ice addict son was recently arrested and sent to prison.

“Helplessness is probably the worst thing, I think. You always want to protect your children… and when it comes to drug use, you have no control,” she tells 60 Minutes.

Karen Butts' son Kurt is an ice addict who was recently sent to prison. (60 Minutes) (60 Minutes)

Karen’s son, Kurt, was first introduced to ice when he was 18 years old. She remembers the moment he told her he was addicted.

“I thought, he’s gonna die, that’s what I thought. I thought he’s gonna die.”

Karen doesn’t know if her son will ever kick the addiction.

Before prison, Kurt was living at home with Karen. She was able to see the effect ice has on him."

“It’s totally up to my son,” she says.

“To have my son back without the chaos in his mind and his body… would make me so happy.”

An estimated eight tonnes of ice is used in Australia each year. (60 Minutes) (60 Minutes)

But, it’s not just Wagga Wagga that’s impacted.

Neil Gaughgan is the assistant commissioner of the AFP responsible for organised crime and says ice use is now at epidemic proportions in Australia - an estimated eight tonnes a year.

“If you look at consumption levels of ice compared to any other narcotic, it’s through the roof,” he says.

“It’s actually starting to really crucify and really harm generations of Australians.”

Magistrate Kennedy has a clear message for parents who think their own children would never become addicted to this drug.

“Be conscious of who your children are mixing with, and if there is any sign, step in,” she says.

“In my view, the moment your friend offers you this substance, they are no longer your friend.”

Family Drug Support line (available 24/7) - 1300368186