Pubdate: Mon, 26 Aug 2002
Source: Herald, The (WA)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Herald Co.
Contact:  http://www.heraldnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/190
Author: Janice Podsada

EXPERT WARNS OF METH LABS HERE

Ross Wigney's life changed forever when he learned his 19-year-old daughter 
was addicted to methamphetamine.

He gave up the good life in Hawaii and became a Washington State- certified 
drug lab clean-up contractor.

It was his way of fighting back against the highly addictive drug that 
snagged his daughter, who's now 22 and in her third year of addiction.

Now, he is taking his fight public.

Wigney will present a series of Methamphetamine Awareness talks at Sno-Isle 
libraries in Lynnwood and Arlington in September for children and adults.

The discussions are especially timely with children returning to school, 
said Wigney, president of Ausclean Technologies, Inc, a drug lab clean-up 
company.

Meth labs and toxic waste have been discovered near schools, playgrounds 
and parks.

Wigney's work brings him in contact with the hazardous chemicals and toxic 
residues dumped by meth "cooks" or left over from their labs.

Recognizing toxic drug waste can save a life, Wigney said. For example, 
kids will pick up a pop bottle with a short plastic tube sticking out of 
the neck and use it like a straw. If the bottle contains hydrochloride 
residues used to manufacture methamphetamine, one sip can prove deadly.

Wigney brings with him a display of the common but toxic household 
chemicals used in the drug's manufacture, a list that includes acetone, 
rubbing alcohol, drain cleaner, engine starting fluid, lye, brake cleaner, 
red phosphorus, butane fuel and paint thinner.

Washington state currently is second in the nation for the number of meth 
drug busts: 1,800 in 2001.

Statewide, Snohomish County is vying for third place in the number of meth 
labs uncovered by police. The county's rural character and an influx of 
meth producers from other counties have contributed to Snohomish County's 
increased numbers, Wigney said.

"For every lab police find, it's estimated 10 escape detection, Wigney said.

As a clean-up contractor, Wigney has learned how to recognize a meth house 
by its sights, odors and booby traps, for example a dish of cyanide on the 
porch that can coalesce into a deadly cloud of gas when someone knocks at 
the door.

"I have nothing but sympathy for users, but zero tolerance for cooks," he 
told a group of Snohomish County PUD workers this week.

Wigney will speak at the following locations:

Lynnwood Library, 19200 44th Ave. W, 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12

Arlington Library, 135 North Washington Ave., 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Watching For Meth

Ross Wigney will present a methamphetamine awareness presentation free to 
any organization or group. For more information call 425-889-6859.
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MAP posted-by: Beth