Pubdate: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 Source: Times-Advocate (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 Exeter Times-Advocate Contact: http://www.southhuron.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2215 Author: Pat Bolen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) METHAMPHETAMINE PROBLEM GROWING IN RURAL AREAS EXETER - Area firefighters heard a briefing Oct. 20 at the South Huron fire hall about the growing problem of methamphetamine laboratories in rural areas. Methamphetamines are synthetic amphetamines or stimulants produced and sold illegally in pill form, capsules, powder and chunks and can be produced using many household items. Detective Sargent Brad Durfy from the London Drug Enforcement detachment described to firefighters the hazards they might face if called to a fire at a building containing a meth lab. The labs can be found virtually anywhere including apartments, storage areas, campsites, vacant buildings and vehicles. Durfy said one of the ingredients in making methamphetamine is anhydrous ammonia, a liquid fertilizer which is stolen and then stored in propane cylinders. The cylinders are not capable of containing the anhydrous ammonia and the fittings quickly begin to erode, leading to an explosion. One of the signs of a propane cylinder close to exploding is fittings that have turned bright blue. Other hazards firefighters may face include boobytraps around meth labs, a practice Durfy said is filtering up from the United States, and users of the drug around the labs who can become violent. Unlike earlier methods of producing methamphetamine which were more difficult, expensive and time consuming, newer methods can produce a batch of methamphetamine in as little as two hours. Using production facilities no bigger than a pail, the labs can be placed in vehicles and driven around while being 'cooked' creating an extreme hazard on the road for other drivers. Durfy said warning signs a methamphetamine lab may be operating in the area are large purchases of ingredients such as sudafed and drain cleaners, or thefts of these items. He added it had been difficult to get courts to apply severe enough sentences for those caught with the materials for making methamphetamine. But with testimony from drug enforcement officers describing the dangers combining the ingredients creates, the court system is starting to recognize the severity of the problem and is applying longer terms for thefts of the materials. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake