Pubdate: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 Source: Sampson Independent, The (NC) Copyright: 2002, The Sampson Independent Contact: http://www.clintonnc.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1704 Author: Rod Brown Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) INCREASED METHAMPHETAMINE USE MEANS MORE LABS Methamphetamine use on the East Coast is on the rise. With the increased usage comes the increased number of clandestine laboratories to produce the illegal drug and meet the user's demand. First synthesized in 1887 Germany, amphetamine was, for a long time, a drug in search of a disease. Nothing was done with the drug, from its discovery (synthesis) until the late 1920s, when it was seriously investigated as a cure or treatment against nearly everything from depression to decongestion. In the 1930s, amphetamine was marketed as Benzedrine in an over-the-counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion for asthmatics, hay fever sufferers, and people with colds. A probable direct reaction to the Depression and Prohibition, the drug was used and abused by non-asthmatics looking for a high. By 1937 amphetamine was also available by prescription in tablet form. Methamphetamine, more potent and easy to make, was discovered in Japan in 1919. The crystalline powder was soluble in water, making it a perfect candidate for injection. In the United States in the 1950s, legally manufactured tablets of both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine) became readily available and were used non-medically by college students, truck drivers, and athletes. As use of amphetamines spread, so did their abuse. Amphetamines became a cure-all for such things as weight control and treating mild depression. This pattern changed drastically in the 1960s with the increased availability of injectable methamphetamine. The 1970 Controlled Substances Act severely restricted the legal production of injectable methamphetamine, causing its use to decrease greatly. Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse in the United States has been on the rise over the past few years, as indicated by investigative, seizure, price, purity, and abuse statistics. As a result, this drug is having a devastating impact in many communities across the nation. Although more common in western areas of the country, this impact increasingly is being felt in areas not previously familiar with the harmful effects of this powerful stimulant. Methamphetamine and its production has been found in Sampson County. Drug agents have busted several clandestine labs this year and conducted a special operation to round up methamphetamine users. The operation, called "Crystal Candy," was a four-month undercover operation that ended in July 2002 and resulted in over 160 drug-related charges, most of them felonies, against 24 people. Two weeks ago, Robert Edward Walker Jr., 27, of 482 Ira B. Tart Road, Dunn, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a place to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to U.S. Drug Enforcement Agent Rob Balis, the operation Walker is accused of setting up would cost between $10,000 and $15,000. Magistrate Robert Naylor set Walker's bond at $4,000, an arrest report showed. He had posted bond and returned home before the cleanup operation was complete. Clandestine production accounts for almost all of the methamphetamine trafficked and abused in the United States. The illicit manufacture of methamphetamine can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but is produced most commonly using the ephedrine/pseudoephedrine reduction method. Large-scale production of methamphetamine using this method is dependent on the availability of bulk quantities of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Drug enforcement efforts against clandestine methamphetamine producers is almost like a "cat and mouse" game between efforts to cut off chemical supplies and efforts to obtain them from non-regulated sources. Past experiences have demonstrated that methamphetamine traffickers are relentless, flexible, and creative in finding new ways to obtain chemicals by avoiding regulated chemicals and other products needed to produce the drug. Clandestine laboratory operators often are well-armed. Weapons ranging from single firearms to arsenals of high-powered weapons and explosives are commonly found at laboratory sites. Not only are methamphetamine laboratories used to manufacture illegal, often deadly drugs, but the clandestine nature of the manufacturing process and the presence of ignitable, corrosive, reactive, and toxic chemicals at the sites have resulted in explosions, fires, toxic fumes, and irreparable damage to human health and to the environment. The production of methamphetamine involves three steps. First the cooking stage where the chemicals ephedrine, hydriodic acid, and red phosphorous are mixed and heated at various stages for about 12-hours, then strained to remove the red phosphorous which is not water soluble and can be fatal if ingested. The second, or extraction stage involves adding sodium hydroxide to convert the acidic material to a basic material and then adding Freon to extract the methamphetamine from the base. The third and final stage, referred to as the drying stage, includes adding hydrogen chloride gas to the mixture to convert the product from an oil into crystalline powder. All of these stages involve highly flammable and toxic substances. The "Nazi" method for manufacturing methamphetamine uses a simple recipe commonly found on the east coast. The drug is inexpensive to make using this method because materials in this production can be purchased at discount stores. Laboratories are often hid in nondescript locations in both rural cities and suburban residences. They can be found in barns, garages, out buildings, back rooms, apartments, hotel and motel rooms, storage facilities, vacant buildings and sometimes inside vehicles. Labs are characteristically small and make use of common household appliances, glassware and chemicals that are readily available in most stores. Some of the chemicals used are starting fluid, Drano, alcohol and paint thinner. Other ingredients may include over-the-counter cold and asthma medications that contain ephedrine or pseudophedrine, red phosphorus, hydrochloric acid, battery acid and antifreeze. Some labs use surveillance equipment or even booby-traps in an effort to discourage theft and entry, as well as to destroy the evidence. The risk of injury from chemical exposure depends on the chemical itself, the concentration, the quantity, the length of time a person is exposed to the chemical, and how the chemical enters the body. Chemicals may enter the body by being breathed, eaten, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Acute exposure to a chemical is one that occurs over a relatively short period of time and may effect a person's health. High level exposure to contaminants found in methamphetamine labs cause shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, dizziness, lack of coordination, chemical irritation, and burns to the skin, eyes, mouth and nose. Severe cases can lead to death. Less acute exposure to chemicals may cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or lethargy. These symptoms have been known to occur in people who have entered a drug lab after a bust has been completed, but before the property is properly cleaned and ventilated. The symptoms usually go away after several hours. Some indicators of a clandestine laboratory are unusually strong odors such as ether, ammonia acetone or other chemicals, unusual amounts of trash fires, residents going outside to smoke, heavy traffic coming and going often, strong odor or smell similar to urine, coffee filters containing a white pasty substance or a dark red sludge, jars containing clear liquid with a white colored substance on the bottom, jars or sealed cans with tubing attached, lithium batteries that have been stripped or disassembled, glass cookware containing a powdery residue, red phosphorus or fine red powder, propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue. Someone that suspects a clandestine laboratory is operating in their neighborhood should avoid the location and never touch anything. Make mental notes of what caused the suspicions and when it occurred. If someone comes into contact with any substance possibly used in a lab, shower and change clothing as soon as possible. Contact the local authorities and inform them of your suspicions. Clandestine laboratories are a threat to the community where they operate and to the environment. By reporting their locations, law enforcement agencies can shut down these labs. The Sampson County Sheriff's Department can be reached by calling (910) 592-4141. The Clinton police department may be reached by calling (910) 592-3105. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake