Narromine Shire Mayor, Bill McAnally said this was a step in the right direction but he would like to see more done in relation to Methylamphetamine or ice. 

"I'm not too sure how many it will affect, but they were only getting slaps on the wrist, 20 to life is a bit of a discouragement. But while there is money out there, they'll do it," he said.

From September 1 ice manufacturers and dealers will face the prospect of life behind bars. 

Attoney General Gabrielle Upton said the state government was taking decisive action to ensure the most serious ice manufacturers and dealers were brought to justice. 

"Drug manufacturers and dealers, particularly those involved with ice, profit from the misery and misfortune of others," Ms Upton said. 

"We believe serious drug manufacturers and dealers spreading this poison throughout the community must be held to higher account."

Ms Upton also announced the halving of the threshold required to charge people with manufacturing or supplying large commercial quantities of ice. 

"Put simply, halving the threshold will mean more serious ice manufacturers and dealers will face the prospect of life behind bars," she announced. 

Cr McAnally hopes police will be given more powers.

"The courts need to make an example of this law. The police powers are diminished, it's a struggle to do anything these days which is disappointing for the police," he said. 

"The police are just trying to protect the public."

Along with many other local mayors, Cr McAnally is resigned to the fact ice is a growing issue in small local communities.

"I think we've got an ice problem, I think there's ice problems everywhere, I talk to similar councils with similar problems," he said.

"The smaller the town the more people are aware of it."

Cr McAnally would also like people to take responsibility for their addictions. 

"It comes back to the responsibility of the Government and responsibilities of ourselves. People dismiss their own responsibility but there's enough education out there to know how it's terribly addictive. Responsibility starts with you and you can't rely on everyone else," he said.

Despite this the Mayor would like to see more on offer for the people trying to escape their addictions. 

"I think the Government are trying to look at a treatment for people to get off ice," he said. 

Assistant Minister for Health Pru Goward said the NSW Government recognised it needed to focus on earlier detection and expanding treatment services for people trying to get clean from this life-destroying drug before addiction took hold. 

"Our $11 million investment will deliver more targeted services that keep people off ice and out of emergency rooms," she said earlier this week.