Pubdate: Sun, 17 Dec 2006 Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 The Morning Star Contact: http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352 Author: Jennifer Dyck Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) COMMUNITY TAKES AIM AT METH Editor's note: This is the third, and final article in a series on crystal methamphetamine, aimed at educating the public and raising awareness about the drug. A dash of paint thinner, pour in some iodine, a splash of ether and mix in some hydrochloric acid and you've got just some of the ingredients to cook up a life sentence to meth. These are only a few of the toxic components combined to make crystal methamphetamine. The ingredients are concerning when you consider that people actually snort, smoke, inject or eat the final product for a euphoric high. But the preparation of making this drug is also a major concern. "Every stage of crystal meth production is volatile," said Lisa Levesque, co-ordinator for the North Okanagan Crystal Meth Prevention and Awareness Project. With the ease of production, often taking up minimal space, meth can be cooked up anywhere. Meth labs, also known as synthetic clandestine labs, are in homes, but can exist in confined spaces such as a car trunk. They can be easily set up and produce product within a few days and subsequent batches with only a 20-minute turnaround time. In these labs there is not only the potential for explosion, but also the dangers that the ingredients bring to the area. "The air that the cook breathes is poisonous," said Levesque, adding that not only is the cook at harm, but so is anyone else in the home, including children living there. "Imagine what the children's organs look like as a result of being in the same room as those vapours?" said Rachael Neuhaus, Vernon Community Policing Office co-ordinator. Those same chemical vapours that enter people's lungs, also seep into every fabric of the house or whatever space being used to produce it. The result is that once these labs are uncovered, the homes often must be condemned or torn down, said Levesque. "It's just like a hazard spill," she said, noting that it is very costly to clean up these places. There are also hazards to the environment, as each kilogram of meth produced equals five to seven kilograms of chemical waste. In an attempt to discard the evidence of a lab, Levesque said it isn't uncommon to see that waste dumped down the drains, into the backyard or wherever possible. A major concern of all of this, is that these explosive labs can exist anywhere - in a home down the street, storage facility, camper, hotel, vehicle, trailer, vacant buildings and even remote outdoor sites. The good news for North Okanagan residents is the RCMP haven't uncovered a meth lab here, according to Const. Brian Evans with the Vernon RCMP drug task force. "But," he adds, "that doesn't mean there isn't one." Meth clandestine labs actually make up 60 per cent of chemical labs in Canada, with ecstasy labs making up 15 per cent. Locally the community is keeping its eyes open for early signs of such labs. Through the Meth Watch Program, some local retailers, such as hardware stores where meth ingredients can be found, are watching for and questioning large purchases of meth ingredients. Although more retailers, including pharmacies, need to join the watch, Neuhaus said it is an excellent program. "That's community policing at its best. They're trying to do their due diligence to make a safe community for us all." Const. Evans also advises residents to watch for the following signs of a meth lab. "If you're seeing some of the glass beakers and funky glass tubes that should be flashing alarm bells for you." Other detectors include excessive amounts of cold medicine tablet containers, unusual odors such as heavy solvents or stale urine, heavily secured doors and covered windows, jars containing clear liquid with a white coloured solid on the bottom, large amounts of stripped lithium batteries and propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek