Pubdate: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 Source: Orange County Register (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Orange County Register Contact: http://www.ocregister.com/ Author: Jeff Collins STREET SMARTS How To Spot Meth Labs Sprouting Up In O.C. Irene Ortega was given just 10 minutes in 1995 to decide whether she would take in her two young grandsons or allow them to be placed in a foster home. Her methamphetamine-addicted stepdaughter had been neglecting the children, Ortega said. Social workers were removing them from their mother's home. Ortega, 51, was given an hour to drive to Pomona and get the children and bring them home with her to San Clemente. The 2 1/2-year-old boy had been hungry much of the time he lived with his parents. Money went for drugs instead of groceries. At Ortega's home, he kept opening the cupboards and refrigerator to stare at the food. His 3-month-old brother was malnourished and emaciated. He had been born with methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and barbiturates in his system. At Ortega's home, the infant cried incessantly and shook from drug withdrawals. Ortega described her heartache Friday at a Santa Ana forum co-sponsored by the Orange County Methamphetamine Task Force. The gathering sought to educate the community about the perils of methamphetamine use and how to spot meth labs sprouting up in Orange County neighborhoods. Methamphetamine -a drug that stimulates the brain's pleasure centers but lasts much longer than costlier cocaine - has become the nation's second-most widely abused drug after alcohol, forum sponsors said. California is the nation's top producer of methamphetamine, and a four-county area that includes Orange County produces 71 percent of the state's meth labs. One reason methamphetamine is spreading so rapidly is it's relatively easy to make. Key ingredients include household items such as cold tablets, alcohol, acetone and paint thinner. The labs spring up in motels and residential areas, exposing neighbors to chemical hazards, fire and explosion risks and to drug violence. Among the clues that there's a drug lab in your area are: - ---Unusual strong odors like ammonia, ether, cat urine or other chemicals. - ---Homes with windows blacked out. - ---Lots of clear glass containers being brought into a home - ---Excessive traffic at all hours and excessive trash. - ---Tenants paying their rent in cash. Today, Ortega and her husband, Richard, are planning to adopt their younger grandson, now 4. who no longer is addicted but still has asthma and is sensitive to loud noises. His 7-year-old brother is in a group home. A reunion with his mother failed when she resumed using drugs and took him with her on sexual and drug escapades. He is now up for adoption. "Drug dealers are no longer being found just in the ghettos," Ortega said. "They are in affluent neighborhoods. ...Meth is easily available anywhere in south (Orange) County." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Register Columnist-Jeff Collins can be reached at(714) 796-7734. Send e-mail to - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto