METHAMPHETAMINE Awareness

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METHAMPHETAMINE Awareness

• 2006 In-Service Training

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Training Objectives

• Recognize common over-the-counter products that
  are used in methamphetamine production.
• Identify standard and improvised lab equipment
  used in methamphetamine production.
• List the correct procedures for dealing with
  reported or discovered methamphetamine labs.

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Channel 17 video clip
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Street Names for Methamphetamine
crystal
meth
zip
speed
go-fast
crank
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of Methamphetamine
HISTORY

• 1887 - Amphetamine first synthesized in Germany.
• 1919 Methamphetamine synthesized in Japan
• 1932 - First medical use "benzedrine inhaler.
• 1937 - Amphetamine available in tablet form.
• 1939 1942 - Used by Allied and Axis troops in
  WWII.
• 1971 - Controlled Substances Act of 1970 included
  restrictions on amphetamine.
• 1980 - P-2-P becomes a controlled substance
  contributing to switch to ephedrine reduction
  methods.

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of Methamphetamine
HISTORY

• 1960-1980s - Methamphetamine distribution is
  controlled by biker gangs (P-2-P method used).
• 1980-1990 - Red phosphorous (Red P) method starts
  taking over.
• 1990-1991 - Ephedrine reduction method imported
  to Kansas City area by local dealers. Birch
  Reduction (Nazi) method discovered in local
  library - method spreads rapidly.
• 1990-1993 - Mexican National Labs proliferate on
  the West Coast (Red P labs).
• 1991-Today Red P and Birch Reduction (Nazi) Labs
  spread across the U.S.

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Short-Term Effects of Methamphetamine Use

• Euphoria
• Increased alertness
• Increased energy
• Insomnia
• Light and sound sensitivity
• Shakes and tremors
• Nervousness
• Teeth grinding
• Dry mouth
• Jaw clenching
• Enhanced sexual activity

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Long-Term Effects of Methamphetamine Use

• Depression
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Violent mood changes
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Calcium depletion
• Weight loss
• Meth psychosis

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4 Years
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What Are Crank Bugs?
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(No Transcript)
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Cycle of Abuse
Methamphetamine
Rush
Exhilaration after intake usually lasts 4-5
minutes, but can last as long as 30 minutes.
High
Can last 4-16 hours.
Binge
Repeated use of meth may continue without sleep
for 3-15 days.
Tweaking
The "coming down" phase that can last up to 24
hours.
Crash
Continuous sleep for 1-3 days.
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Beware of Tweakers

• Keep a social distance.
• Do not shine bright lights at him/her.
• Slow your speech and lower the pitch of your
  voice.
• Slow your movements.
• Keep your hands visible.
• Keep the tweaker talking.

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CLANDESTINE LABS

• 4 main categories of

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Illegal Controlled Substances Produced in
Clandestine Labs

• PCP
• LSD
• MDMA (ecstasy)
• GHB
• Cocaine/Crack
• Methcathanone
• Methamphetamine

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Methamphetamine Labs
Types of

• Mexican National labs
• Mexican National Super Labs
• Mom and Pop labs

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Where Are Clandestine Labs Found ?
?

• Motels and hotels / Vacation rentals / Houses
  / Apartments / Trailers / Cars / Trucks /
  Recreational vehicles / Campgrounds / Parks /
  Forests / Farm fields / Orchards / Boats
  /Self-storage units / Outbuildings / Businesses

?
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Lab Terminology

• Precursor - Primary chemical that is changed into
  the finished product, i.e., ephedrine or
  pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine.
• Reagent - Chemical used in reactions to convert
  precursor into the finished product, but does not
  become part of the finished product.
• Solvent - Used to dissolve solid precursors or to
  separate chemicals in a reaction. Most solvents
  are highly flammable.
• Catalyst - Substance that initiates a chemical
  reaction, i.e., lithium metal.
• Exothermic - A chemical reaction producing its
  own heat.
• pH Scale - Measure of acidity or alkalinity. The
  pH range is 1 to 14 with 7 as neutral. increases acidity, 7 increases alkalinity

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Specialized Chemical Apparatus/Items
Buchner funnels Rheostats Vacuum pumps

• Triple neck flasks
• Single neck flasks
• Reflux columns

pH paper Gram scales Plastic tubing
Distillation columns Heating mantles Separatory
funnels
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Triple Neck Flask
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Reflux Column
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Distillation Column
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Heating Mantle
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Separatory Funnel
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Buchner Funnel
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Rheostats
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Improvised Lab Equipment

• a) Canning jars
• b) Water jugs
• c) Crock pots
• d) Blenders
• e) Spice mills
• f) Kitchen utensils
• g) Coffee grinders
• h) Coffee filters
• i) Bed sheets
• j) Turkey basters

• k) Mop buckets
• l) Hot plates
• m) Cast iron skillets
• n) Pressure cookers
• o) Electric frying pans
• p) Pyrex/Corning cookware
• q) Thermoses or coolers
• r) Propane tanks
• s) Fire extinguishers
• t) Plastic gas cans

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Improvised Equipment
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• Suspects
• Weapons
• Explosives
• Booby traps
• Chemicals and wastes
• Contaminated syringes

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Chemicals and Waste
Flammable
Combustible
Corrosive
Caustic
Reactive
Toxic
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Classifications and Methods

• Phenyl-2-Propanone (P-2-P/Methylamine)
• P-2-P Method

• Ephedrine Reduction
• Red Phosphorous (Red P) Method
• Anhydrous Ammonia (Nazi) Method
• Thionyl Chloride Method

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Red Phosphorous Method
The Red Phosphorous Method is also commonly
referred to as the
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Phenyl-2-Propanone Method

• P-2-P/Methylamine Method
• Foil Method
• Biker Method
• Prope Dope Method

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How to Start aMeth Lab Investigation
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How to Start aMeth Lab Investigation
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How to Start aMeth Lab Investigation
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How to Start aMeth Lab Investigation
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Generating Leads for Investigators
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Video Hotel
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Video Car Stop
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TRASH PULLS / GARBOLOGY

• During trash pulls, remember that

• Trash must be off curtilage
• Trash must be sitting at trash pickup location

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TRASH EVIDENCE
SAFETY FIRST
when digging in trash! Remember, you are
searching for meth lab evidence that can be
toxic, reactive, corrosive, caustic, flammable
and explosive!

• Transport these items in your vehicle
• Take these items into your agency
• Store these items in your evidence room

DO NOT

• Photograph items
• Retrieve latent prints (if possible)
• Assure that items are disposed of properly

DO
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Video Trash
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PAPER EVIDENCE

• Meth recipes
• Lab notes
• Maps and written directions
• Receipts

• IDs
• Address book
• Business cards
• Library cards
• Sketches/photos
• Chemistry books, articles or catalogues

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Sometimes You Just Get Lucky

• Routine inspections
• Process serving
• Domestic disturbances
• Fires and explosions
• Medical emergencies
• Traffic stops
• Traffic crash

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Meth Labs are CRIME Scenes and HAZMAT Scenes
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Children at Risk

• Abuse
• Exposure
• Relocation

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First Responders
Remember!

• If not trained

• If not equipped

• If alone

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Training Objectives

• Recognize common over-the-counter products that
  are used in methamphetamine production.
• Identify standard and improvised lab equipment
  used in methamphetamine production.
• List the correct procedures for dealing with
  reported or discovered methamphetamine labs.

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SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT FOR ALL
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METHAMPHETAMINEAwareness

• 2006 In-Service Training