Wagga police say methamphetamine use is becoming more prevalent, a claim backed by a representative of Wagga's Community Drug Action Team (CDAT).

And, despite acknowledging changing patterns over time, Wagga police acting crime manager, Inspector Stephen Radford, said reports of people using ice are on the rise.

Parents have been warned to be on the lookout for the drug which, as its name suggests, looks like crushed ice in a bag.

Common street names include ice, meth and glass - because of its appearance - and it is sold in points, or one-tenth of a gram.

Inspector Radford said the average deal on the street for a point is about $50.

"(Ice) is relatively cheap and lasts a long time," Inspector Radford said.

"The problem with ice is the affect it has on people, it's a stimulant which gives them strength and endurance

But, on the flip side, its hallucinogenic properties means speaking with those under the influence can be difficult.

"We have the resources to deal with it," he said.

"(Users) are out there and obviously drug use can be a driver of property crime.

"Young people get addicted fairly quickly and they've got to support a habit."

CDAT chairwoman, Jenny Atkinson, said people living in regional areas were often lulled into a false sense of security about drugs and violence.

"We think we're protected by being in the country," she said.

"Wagga people have still got a country mentality, by which we think we're safe - we're not."

Ms Atkinson said alcohol - a "gateway drug" - was the number one problem.

"Alcohol has given them the susceptibility to be open to other drugs," she said.

"The way in which people use a drug is often the defining thing."

People also aren't scared to combine substances and had little regard for their health.

"You mix drugs and you get an absolute concoction as a result of it," Ms Atkinson said.

"People are more experimental and don't see the long-term consequences.

"I think there's certainly an increased usage of (methamphetamine) in the community ... from a treatment point of view .

"We don't necessarily see the violence we see the changes to lifestyle ... we hear the implications of the violence."