Methamphetamine Labs

 

 

 

 

 

What is Methamphetamine?

 

Methamphetamine is an illegal drug, which is an amphetamine (found in common cold medicines).  Meth, like cocaine and other amphetamines, has affects on the central nervous system (CNS) like those of adrenaline. Common street names for methamphetamine include: speed, crank, ice, glass and crystal. Meth can be swallowed, inhaled (snorted), smoked or injected in its various forms (1). 

 

 

Should I be Concerned with Methamphetamine in my neighborhood?

 

Methamphetamine is a dramatically increasing threat throughout Kentucky. Law enforcement authorities in Kentucky see this as an "exploding" trend much the same as crack cocaine several years ago. Though methamphetamine manufacturing activity in Kentucky consists mostly of small, unsophisticated clandestine laboratories producing limited amounts of methamphetamine, this activity is expected to expand rapidly in the near future in terms of both the number of labs and their size/sophistication (2).

 

 

 

 


Figure 1

 

 

As you can see, the number of labs has continued to double nearly each year.  The threat of methamphetamine has grown and resides mostly in the rural parts of the state.  One of the reasons for the meth production in the rural part of the state is due to one of the main ingredients, anhydrous ammonia.  DEA and law enforcement officials of this state have diligently pursued this matter but the public needs to be educated on its health effects from exposure to a former methamphetamine lab. 

 

 

So, What can it do to my health?

 

SHORT TERM EFFECTS                    LONG TERM EFFECTS

 

False sense of well-being                                    Malnutrition

Convulsions, twitching and jerking                         Liver damage

Dry, itchy skin                                                       Brain damage

Aggressiveness                                                      Severe weight loss

Increased heart rate                                    Insomnia

Increased muscle tension                                       Immune deficiency

Grinding of teeth                                                    Psychological problems

Stimulation of the adrenal gland                              Lung disorder

Constriction of blood vessels                             Kidney disorder

Rise in blood pressure                                        Stroke

Impaired speech                                                  Coma

Loss of appetite                                                  Death

Hallucinations

Paranoia

Insomnia

 

 

What is in a Meth Lab?

 

Commercial Products      Chemicals                                     Hazards

Anhydrous Ammonia            Ammonia                                                                                                                         

Aluminum Foil                      Aluminum                                                Non-Hazardous         

Camera Batteries                   Lithium                                                     Water Reactive                                              

Charcoal Lighter Fluid          Petroleum Distillates                             Flammable                                                     

Denatured Alcohol                Mixture of Alcohols                               Flammable                                                     

Epsom Salts                           Magnesium Sulfate                                 Non-Hazardous           

Gasoline                                 Petroleum Distillates                             Flammable                   

Heet                                        Methyl Alcohol                                       Flammable                                                     

Iodine Crystals                       Iodine                                                       Irritant                                                            
Kerosene                                Petroleum Distillates                             Flammable                                                     
Lacquer Thinner                     Petroleum Distillates                             Flammable                                                     

Mineral Spirits                        Petroleum Distillates                            Flammable                                                     

Muriatic Acid                         Hydrochloric Acid                                 Corrosive Acid                  White Powder

Red Devil Lye                        Sodium Hydroxide                                  Corrosive Base                                    Adjusts pH

Roto Rooter/Drainer/           Sulfuric Acid                                           Corrosive Acid                                    Reacts with Table Salt

Liquid Free/Battery Acid                                   

Starting Fluid                         Ethyl Ether                                               Flammable                                    Oil Extraction

Striker Plate                           Phosphorus                                              Flammable                                    Source of Red Phosphorus

Table Salt                               Sodium Chloride                                     Non-Hazardous                                    Reacts w/Sulfuric Acid form                                                                                                                              Hydrochloric Acid Gas

Ephedrine/ Cold Medicine               Ephedrine/Psuedoephedrine      Non-Hazardous                                                                                                      Required for Synthesis
                                        

 

 

What would materials would indicate an existing meth lab?

 

µ      A large amount of cold tablet containers

µ      Jars containing clear liquid with white colored solid on the bottom

µ      Jars labeled as containing Iodine or dark shiny metallic purple crystals inside

µ      Jars labeled as containing Red Phosphorus or fine dark red or purple powder

µ      Coffee filters containing a white pasty substance, a dark red sludge, or small amounts of shiny white crystals

µ      Bottles or jars with rubber tubing attached

µ      Glass cookware or frying pans containing a powdery residue

µ      An unusually large number of cans of Coleman Fuel, paint thinner, acetone, starting fluid, Red Devil Lye, and drain cleaners containing Sulfuric Acid or bottles containing Muriatic Acid

µ      Large amounts of lithium batteries, especially, ones that have been stripped

µ      Soft silver or gray metallic ribbon (in chunk form) stored in oil or Kerosene

µ      Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue

µ      Occupants of residence going outside to smoke

µ      Strong smell of urine, or unusual chemical smells like ether, ammonia or acetone

 

Who should I contact concerning a meth lab?

 

If you discover a meth lab, the first person you should contact is your local police department.  Remember you should not enter the existing lab for any reason.   Once you have contacted the local police, they have access to special forces that will come and investigate and perform a gross clean-up of the site. 

 

 

 

Additional Resources and Information

Additional information and resources regarding methamphetamine production and contamination can be found at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at http://www.dea.gov/concern/meth_factsheet.html.