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Methamphetamine — also known as meth, crank or
speed — is an addictive central nervous system stimulant. Possession,
manufacture, or distribution of meth is illegal in many countries,
including the United States. Here are answers to frequently asked
questions about meth and meth labs — and how this drug can affect you,
your family, your home and your community.
1. What are the
signs of meth use?
2. What is a meth
lab?
3. How is meth
made?
4. What are the
signs of a meth lab?
5. What are the
signs of meth distribution?
6. What are the
health risks if you live in or near a former meth lab?
7. What impact
does meth have on children living in a meth lab or with a meth user?
8. What can I do
about a suspected meth lab in my area?
9. What is the cost
of cleaning up a clandestine meth lab?
10. How do I know if
my house was used to make meth?
11. What can I do
if I think my house was used as a meth lab?
12. How does meth
affect my community?
13. What can I
do about a meth problem in my community?
14. What can I
do to help a meth addict?
1. What are
signs of meth use?
A meth user may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms and
behaviors and may have some or all of the listed paraphernalia:
Physical Symptoms:
* Weight loss
* Abnormal sweating
* Shortness of breath
* Nasal problems or nosebleeds
* Sores that do not heal
* Dilated pupils
* Burns on lips or fingers
* Track marks on arms
Behavioral Symptoms:
* Withdrawal from family and friends
* Change in friends
* Disinterest in previously enjoyed activities
* Increased activity
* Long periods of sleeplessness (24-120 hours)
* Long periods of sleep (24-48 hours)
* Incessant talking
* Irritability
* Twitching and shaking
* Itching
* Decreased appetite
* Erratic attention span
* Repetitious behavior, such as picking at skin, pulling out hair,
compulsively cleaning, grooming or disassembling and assembling objects
* Aggression or violent behavior
* False sense of confidence and power
* Convulsions
* Carelessness about appearance
* Deceit or secretiveness
Mental Symptoms:
* Paranoia
* Anxiousness
* Nervousness
* Agitation
* Extreme moodiness
* Severe depression
* Hallucinations
* Delusions of parasites or insects crawling under the skin.
Paraphernalia:
* Rolled up paper money or short straws
* Pieces of glass/mirrors
* Razor blades
* Burned spoons
* Surgical tubing
* Syringes/needles
** In all cases of meth use, a user may experience a loss of inhibitions
and a false sense of control and confidence, which can lead to dangerous
behavior.
2. What is a
meth lab?
An illegal meth or crank lab is an illicit operation that contains
chemicals and/or apparatus that either have been or could be used to
make meth.
There are several different techniques used to produce meth. All of the
processes use a variety of chemicals including explosives, solvents,
metals, salts, and corrosives. During the manufacturing process or
?cooking?, additional compounds and by-products are produced. The fumes,
vapors, and spillage associated with cooking can be toxic.
Clandestine meth labs are found in rural, city, and suburban residences.
They are found in houses, apartments, and rental homes; hotel and motel
rooms, vehicles or abandoned cars, back rooms of businesses; garages,
sheds and other storage facilities, barns, and vacant buildings;
campgrounds and rest areas.
Meth can even be made in a small makeshift "lab" that can fit into a
suitcase. Small portable labs are commonly referred to as "Mom and Pop"
or "Beavis and Butthead" labs. Larger labs that are permanently set up
and can produce up to 100 pounds of meth are referred to as "Super" labs
3. How is meth
made?
The process required to make methamphetamine is easier and more
accessible than ever. There are literally thousands of recipes and
information about making meth on the internet. An investment of a few
hundred dollars in over-the-counter medications and chemicals can
produce thousands of dollars' worth of meth.
Some of the ingredients most commonly used to make meth are
over-the-counter cold and asthma medications containing ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine, red phosphorous, hydrochloric acid, anhydrous ammonia,
drain cleaner, battery acid, lye, lantern fuel, and antifreeze. Some
recipes call for large amounts of industrial and agricultural chemicals,
which are either purchased or stolen. These chemicals are then used in
large labs or "super" labs.
The average meth "cook" annually teaches 10 other people how to make the
drug.
4. What
are signs of a meth lab?
A typical meth lab is a collection of chemical bottles, hoses, and
pressurized cylinders. The cylinders can take many forms, from modified
propane tanks to fire extinguishers, scuba tanks and soda dispensers.
The tanks contain anhydrous ammonia or hydrochloric acid ? both highly
poisonous and corrosive.
Labs are frequently abandoned, and the potentially explosive and very
toxic chemicals are left behind. Chemicals may also be burned or dumped
in woods or along roads.
The most common chemicals used to start the meth-making process are
over-the-counter cold and asthma medications which contain ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine as decongestants or stimulants.
Here are signs of a meth lab:
* Unusual strong chemical odors such as ether, ammonia (smell similar to
cat urine) and acetone (smells similar to fingernail polish)
* Excess amounts of cold medicines containing Ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine * Empty pill bottles or blister packs
* Propane/Freon tanks with blue corrosion on fittings or spray-painted
or burned, with bent or tampered valves
* Starting fluid cans opened from the bottom
* Heating sources such as hotplates/torches
* Excess coffee filters
* Excess baggies
* Excess matches
* Excess lithium batteries
* Cookware (Corning type) with white residue
* Glassware, Mason jars or other glass containers
* Plastic tubing
* Funnels
* Hoses leading outside for ventilation
* Soft drink bottles with hoses running from them
* Drain cleaner, paint thinner, toluene, denatured alcohol, ammonia,
acid, starter fluid, antifreeze, hydrogen peroxide, rock salt/iodine
* Lantern or camp stove fuel
* Iodine- or chemical-stained bathrooms or kitchen fixtures
* Evidence of chemical waste or dumping
* Excessive amounts of trash, particularly chemical containers, coffee
filters with red stains, duct tape rolls, Empty cans of or paint thinner
or pieces of red-stained cloth around the property
* Secretive or unfriendly occupants
* Extensive security measures or attempts to ensure privacy such as "No
Trespassing" or "Beware of Dog" signs, fences, and large trees or shrubs
* Curtains always drawn or windows blackened or covered with aluminum
foil on residences, garages, sheds, or other structures
* Increased activity, especially at night
* Frequent visitors, particularly at unusual times
* Renters who pay their landlords in cash
5. What
are signs of meth distribution?
* Unexplained new wealth
* Scales
* Frequent visitors
* Late night/early morning meetings
* Borrowing money for short periods of time (24-72 hours)
* Rooms or parts of rooms off limits
* Increase of packages in the mail on a routine basis
6. What
are the health risks if I live in or near a former meth lab?
Meth causes health problems not just for the users, but also for others
who are unintentionally exposed to the chemicals.
The risk of injury from chemical exposure depends on the chemical
itself, the concentration, the quantity, and the length and route of
exposure. Chemicals may enter the body by being breathed, eaten,
injected (by a contaminated needle or accidental skin prick), or
absorbed by the skin.
Acute Exposure: An acute chemical exposure is one that occurs
over a relatively short period of time and may result in health effects.
An acute exposure to high levels of contaminants found in meth labs
cause shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, dizziness, lack of
coordination, chemical irritation, lesions and burns to the skin, eyes,
mouth and nose, and in severe cases, death. Acute reactions of this
nature could occur during or immediately after a drug bust, before the
lab has been ventilated.
Less severe symptoms resulting from a less acute exposure cause
headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue or lethargy. These symptoms
have been known to occur in people who have entered a drug lab after the
bust has been completed, but before the property has been adequately
cleaned and ventilated. These symptoms usually go away after several
hours.
Corrosive Effects: Inhalation or skin exposure may result in
injury from corrosive substances present in a meth lab. Symptoms range
from shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, to burns to the skin.
Solvents: Exposure to solvents can irritate the skin, mucous
membranes, respiratory tract, and cause central nervous system effects.
They are also dangerous because of their fire and explosive properties.
Chronic Exposure: Chronic exposure occurs over an extended
period of time, such as weeks, months, or years. A chronic health effect
is one that usually appears after a lengthy period of time, possibly
years. Not much is known about the chronic health effects from these
labs. However, there is scientific evidence from animal and human
toxicity studies that shows the chemicals used to manufacture meth can
cause a range of health effects include cancer, damage to the brain,
liver and kidneys, birth defects, and reproductive problems, such as
miscarriages.
7. What
impact does meth have on children living in labs or living with a meth
user?
Children found in these conditions are commonly malnourished, improperly
clothed, and neglected. Many of these children test positive for having
methamphetamine in their bodies. This is due to the access they have to
the drug or exposure to second-hand smoke, resulting from a cook or a
user smoking in close proximity to a child.
8. What
can I do about a suspected meth lab in my area?
If you suspect a dwelling or property may be an illegal lab, contact
your local police, or sheriff's department. If it's an emergency, call
911.
Do not enter a site that you think may have been used for cooking meth.
Meth labs present extreme dangers from explosions and exposure to
hazardous chemicals. Breathing the fumes and handling substances can
cause injury and even death.
Meth labs are considered hazardous waste sites and should only be
entered by trained and equipped emergency-response professionals (e.g.,
fire department, HAZMAT, certified lab team). When professionals respond
to a drug lab, they do not enter the building until they have put on
chemically resistant suits and boots, special gloves and respirators.
Safety is of paramount importance for all concerned.
Never handle materials you suspect were used for making meth, such as
contaminated glassware and needles. Skin contact can result in burns or
poisoning. Handling items can also cause some of the chemicals to
explode on contact with water or air.
9. What
is the cost of cleaning up a clandestine meth lab?
Cleanups of labs are extremely resource-intensive and beyond the
financial capabilities of most jurisdictions. The average cost of a
cleanup is about $5,000, but some cost up to $100,000 or more.
10. How
do I know if my house was used to make meth?
First, learn more about past uses of your home. Neighbors can be your
best resource about the history of your house or apartment and the
people who lived there in the past.
Questions to ask: * Have you noticed any strange behaviors from prior
occupants or visitors?
* Have you ever noticed chemical smells emanating from the property?
* Have you noticed excessive traffic to and from the house during all
hours of the day or night?
* Has there been excessive amounts of trash around the property?
* Were windows ever blacked out or covered?
You should also check the title of your house for any health orders. You
can also call your local police department and ask if they know
anything.
Second, look for these physical signs inside your home:
Staining or etching marks on sinks, toilets, bathtubs or stove
Brown and red staining on the walls and other surfaces that almost seem
to bleed color when you attempt to wash them.
Added ventilation systems located over work benches, in attics or in
basements
Third, look for these signs inside and outside your home:
* Chemicals such as toluene, xylene, camp fuel, alcohol, drain cleaners,
and/or iodine * Cold tablet packaging * Broken batteries, matchbook
covers, road flairs and Rock salt, iodine * Compressed gas cylinders
like propane tanks that have been modified and/or have a bluish staining
on the valves. * Plastic or glass containers modified with tubes and/or
fittings coming out of them * Burn piles outside your home * Dead or
dying vegetation outside your home * Buried trash piles outside your
home
11.
What can I do if I think my home was used as a meth lab?
If after inspecting your property and talking with your neighbors you
feel there is a good chance your home may have been used for a
clandestine meth lab, call your Health Department to discuss testing and
or cleaning options available to you.
If you own property which has been used as an illegal lab and would like
a list of chemicals confiscated during the bust, contact the law
enforcement agency responsible for the bust, such as local police or
sheriff, State Patrol, or Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
12.
How does meth affect my community?
You might not be using meth or know anyone who is — but it doesn't mean
it's not affecting you. A meth lab can operate unnoticed in any
neighborhood for years, causing serious health hazards to everyone
around.
One way is environmental contamination. Each pound of methamphetamine
produced leaves behind five or six pounds of toxic waste. Meth cooks
often pour leftover chemicals and by-product sludge down drains in
nearby plumbing, down storm drains, or directly onto the ground.
Chlorinated solvents and other toxic by-products used to make meth pose
long-term hazards because they can persist in soil and groundwater for
years.
If you have questions about environmental contamination from an illegal
lab, contact your state's department of ecology office listed in your
phone book.
13.
What can I do about a meth problem in my community?
Meth doesn't only affect those who use it, but their family members,
friends and community, as well. As a concerned citizen, there is a lot
you can do in the fight against this devastating drug. Here are ways you
can help your community take action.
14.
What can I do to help a meth addict?
There are millions of people who have confronted their problems with
drugs. The Partnership's
Hope, Help and Healing web site can help empower you or someone you
care about to take action. Don't give up
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