Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 Source: Airdrie Echo (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 Airdrie Echo Contact: http://www.airdrieecho.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1558 Author: Anne Beaty DIDSBURY METH LAB BUST PROVES HUGE A meth lab discovered northwest of Airdrie last week appears to have been one of the largest clandestine drug labs in the province, according to RCMP. The bust came after Didsbury RCMP responded to an unrelated matter, which ultimately resulted in a search warrant being executed on a rural property west of Didsbury Feb. 15. Although the occupants had only been at the property three weeks, once on scene law enforcement officers found a working methamphetamine lab and seized approximately 10 kilograms of the drug. Facing several counts of drug-related charges are John Andrew Brown, 32, and Jody Roger McGuey, 29, both of Calgary. One of the major concerns related to meth is the danger processing labs pose to the public at large, said RCMP Cpl. Wayne Oakes, K Division media relations officer. Chemicals used in the manufacturing process can be lethal to those exposed and can also drastically increase the chance of fire and explosion. For example, at the Didsbury lab, investigators discovered more than 90 kilograms of red phosphorus, a highly volatile substance. "The manufacturing process is extremely hazardous," Oakes said. "We aren't talking highly qualified lab technicians making this product." As well as the hazards involved in the production of the drug, use of crystal meth also has devastating results. "The first time you use it, you're addicted," Oakes said. While meth users are "all over the board" in terms of demographics, the drug often appeals to younger people, in part because of the "empowering feeling of invincibility," Oakes said. However, he added, there is no such thing as recreational use -- 85 per cent of first-time users become addicted. "This is a very, very powerful chemical," he said. "Once it gets its hooks into you, it just won't go away. "It does greatly reduce your life span," he added. "You don't expect to live more than five years if you're hooked on meth." Oakes knows of what he speaks. At his former posting in Barrhead, he saw firsthand the effects of crystal meth use after several young people in the community became addicted to the drug. "It was absolutely devastating what it did to these kids," he said. For Oakes, one of the best methods of dealing with the crystal meth use is to provide as much information as possible. "Education is, by all means, the thing to do," he said. And while there is consensus among RCMP members that methamphetamine appears to be more of a problem in the northern part of the province than it is in Southern Alberta, that doesn't mean that the drug is unknown south of Red Deer. "I'm sure they use it here (in Airdrie) and I'm sure that they do have labs out there," Airdrie RCMP Sgt. Bruce Robertson said. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFLorida)