Meth labs: Keep an eye out
As methamphetamine, a potent stimulant more commonly known as meth, increases its hold on Minnesota, the public is increasingly in danger of being exposed to toxic byproducts of meth labs. The Minnesota National Guard recently published a brochure listing the dangers of meth, as well as warning signs of a meth lab in your neighborhood.
Meth is one of the most rapidly spreading drugs in the United States, and also one of the most dangerous, for several reasons:
- Chemical and fume residues contaminate houses, apartments, hotel rooms, and remote areas where meth is "cooked." These residues can cause cancer, brain damage, and immune and respiratory system problems, threatening neighbors and residents for years.
- Toxic wastes are usually improperly disposed of in ways that endanger the community: poured down drains or storm sewers, or dumped along county highways.
- High rate of addiction, as well as cardiac and neurological damage to users. It also contributes to violence, child neglect or abuse, car accidents, and the spread of disease when injected.
- Labs can cause explosions and fires.
To minimize the effect meth will have on your community, keep an eye out for some characteristics of meth labs and manufacturers:
- Houses or apartments with frequent visitors and activity around the clock
- Occupants who exhibit unfriendly, paranoid, or otherwise odd behavior
- Desire for secrecy, including curtains that are always drawn, blackened windows, fences, large shrubs, or trees that hide house
- Occupants who smoke outside the house
- Chemical fumes
- Items such as charcoal, solvents, propane tanks, many cold medicine packages, plastic storage containers, batteries, discolored coffee filters, and cat litter in the garbage, which may be set out for collection in someone else's pick up area. Wastes may be dumped in yard, as evidenced by "dead spots" in the grass.
- Hotels should watch for nervous customers that pay with cash, have burn scars, discolored teeth, strange luggage (such as plastic containers), no vehicle, and decline housekeeping services. Hotels should also pay attention to strange smells, stains, residues, and containers in the room.
Source: Methamphetimine Labs Neighborhood Resource Guide, Minnesota National Guard Counterdrug Program.