METH LABS

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METH LABS

• Mexican National Labs
• Not a Myth, its Reality

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COMMUNITY COALITION

• A diverse group of individuals and organizations
  who work together to reach a common goal

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How Can It Help

• Influencing adapting, or developing public policy
• Influences peoples attitudes
• Support the building of a healthy and safe
  community

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COLLABORATION IS THE KEY

• Expand available services by cooperative
  programming
• Provide better service through inter-agency
  communication
• Develop grater understanding of community needs
• Share similar concerns while valuing diverse
  perspectives

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Collaboration (continued)

• Reduce competition to address issues
• Achieve greater visibility with decision-makers
  and the media
• Enhance staff skill by sharing information and
  training
• Conserve and target resources by eliminating
  duplication of efforts

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Community Coalition Response

• AWARENESS

• Make it a point to keep the subject on the front
  burner
• Participate in all of the National Awareness
  campaigns
• Gather the information and local data
• Keep it on the organization or coalition agenda
• Keep track of local media stories

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Community Coalition Response

• EDUCATE

• Educate yourself
• Educate your community leaders
• Identify resources
• Gather and share resources

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EDUCATE(continued)

• Conference workshop attendance
• Discuss health issue
• Identify local experts
• Develop a speakers bureau for civic clubs or
  groups

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Community Coalition Response

• GATHER INFORMATION

• Keep current on the information and trends
• Identify those with resources and expertise
• Bring all those involved to the table
• There are many sources of free material
• Share information with other groups

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Community Coalition Response

• INFORM

• Teach
• Lead
• ASK
• Read
• Guest Editorials
• Personal Stories (local)
• Health Issues

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Community Coalition Response

• THINGS TO DO

• Work with Law Enforcement
• Work with DHEC
• Work with Retailers Associations
• Build a team and educate
• Develop training for employees and management

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THINGS TO DO(continued)

• Keep the awareness in the media consistently
• Find programs in other States that have worked
• Admit to the public that there is a problem and
  the extent of the problem
• Engage the public to help or be watchful

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Community Coalition Response

• Signage and stickers for awareness serve two
  purposes

• Puts criminals on notice
• Lets customers know that the store is aware and
  watchful

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METH Ingredients

• Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (cold or allergy
  tablets)
• Starter fluid
• Rock or table salt
• Drain cleaner

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More Ingredients.

• Camping fuel
• Sulfuric Acid
• Acetone
• Heet (gas additives)
• Paint thinner

• Matchbooks
• Coffee filters
• Aluminum foil
• Assorted glassware

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Tablets

• Approximately 23,000 (60mg) tablets will produce
  2.4 pounds of Methamphetamine.

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Appearance

• Meth has different colors and textures based on
  ingredients and method of production.
• Acetone or Ether can be used as a final step to
  make the meth white.

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Are You Living Near a Meth Lab?

• Unusual Order Strong Odor
• Ammonia
• Acetone
• Ether
• Other Chemicals

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Products Used

• Gasoline additives are a common source of alcohol
  and methanol.

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RECOGNIZE A LAB

• Residents with blacked out or covered windows
• Renters who always pay in cash
• Lots of traffic coming and going at all hours
• Excessive trash including items we have discussed
• Unusual amounts of clear glass containers around
  the home

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THIS USED TO BE A LAB

• Labs often end up with explosions and fires.
• For every pound of meth, six pounds of toxic
  waste is added to the environment.

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THE LAB

• METH LABS ARE

• Very likely to explode
• Harmful to the environment
• Booby trapped
• Always risky for those who have to investigate
  them
• Costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars
• Toxic waste sites

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METH USERS ARE

• Driving on our roads
• Committing crimes
• Often commit assault
• Neglecting their families
• Losing their jobs
• Abusing their children

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What is a tweaker

• The most DANGEROUS type of meth user
• Probably hasnt slept in 3-15 days, so is
  irritable and paranoid
• Behaves/reacts violently, and in unpredictable
  manner
• Behavior intensifies with alcohol or other
  depressant used
• Craves for more meth, but no dosage can re-create
  the euphoric high

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More on tweakers

• Can appear normal (clear eyes, concise speech,
  brisk movement), BUT
• Upon closer look, eyes move 10x faster then
  normal, voice quivers, and movements are quick
  and jerky
• TWEAKERS PRESENT MOST DANGER TO FIRST RESPONDERS
  (law enforcement, medical personnel), b/c of
  unpredictability and potential for violence

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• Dear Alice,
• I've smoked crystal meth about five times in two
  months and have stopped for about a week. Even
  now I have side effects like dry mouth,
  dehydration, and sweaty hands. The side effects
  are gradually slowing down except for the sweaty
  hands. I am wondering if this side effect will go
  away or if it is permanent. I also think that my
  CNS has taken some damage.

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First AID Recommendations

• Methamphetamine labs are filled with deadly
  gases. New materials are often introduced to the
  meth manufacturing process. Following are some
  general recommendations only and do not apply to
  all situations

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• 1. Move victim to fresh air and call 911.
• 2. Apply artificial respiration if victim not
  breathing.
• 3. Do not use use mouth-to-mouth if victim
  ingested or inhaled any substance.
• 4. Induce artificial respiration with the aid of
  a respiratory medical device.
• 5. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.

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• 6. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and
  shoes.
• 7. Flush skin with H2O for 20 min. if victim came
  in contact with chemicals.
• 8. Keep victim warm, quiet and under observation.
• 9. Tell EMS of chemicals involved. They should
  take steps to protect themselves.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• FOR MORE INFO ON COALITION IDEAS AND
  STRATEGIES Carol Reeves Greenville
  Family Partnership
• [phone]
• Carol_at_gfpdrugfree.org
• www.gfpdrugfree.org