Children, as young as 12, using illegal drug ice

The disturbing development has been revealed by police, who are rolling out a series of community forums on ice, targeting children aged 12 to 18.

As part of the campaign, a drug and alcohol expert would emphasise to girls that the drug can ruin their appearance, with sores developing from use.

Older teen boys would be told it caused lack of erectile function.

The effect on sporting performance would also be pointed out, with sports stars attending a forum to be held this week in inner-city Redfern.

The forum is to focus on the abuse of ice - or crystal methamphetamine - as well as other illicit drugs and alcohol, with children and their parents invited.

It follows a successful forum held late last year at Maroubra and police said they hoped to extend the program to other suburbs including Bankstown and Campbelltown.

The forum at Redfern Town Hall on Wednesday night will be hosted by Deputy Police Commissioner and anti-ice campaigner Dave Owens, who said police had information that children as young as 12 were using the drug.

"They just see it as trendy because people talk about it," he said.

"Unfortunately, they glamorise it, but there's nothing glamorous about losing your teeth and your hair, and the sores," he said.

He said the campaign was initiated after police discovered parents did not know what signs of ice use to look for in children at risk.

He said those signs included changes in behaviour, such as missing school or misbehaving at school, and outbreaks of physical violence.