Pubdate: Sat, 07 Dec 2002
Source: Enid News & Eagle (OK)
Copyright: Enid News & Eagle 2002
Contact:  http://www.enidnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2012

EXPLOSIVE REMINDER

Vigilant residents can help keep neighborhoods safe from meth labs. The 
danger methamphetamine labs pose to the general public was brought home to 
us this past week when an explosion rocked a tranquil, semi-rural 
neighborhood on Enid's far north side.

Enid fire and police officials think there was a working meth lab on the 
property, and that is what exploded. The alleged lab was located in an 
outbuilding on the property.

Meth labs pose a genuine fire and explosion risk wherever they are located. 
For years now, people who make the drug have been doing it in their 
kitchens, bathrooms, garages or other outbuildings. The manufacture of meth 
requires the use of certain dangerous chemicals, including anhydrous 
ammonia fertilizer.

The chance of an explosion, fire or death or injury is genuine. Of course, 
besides being dangerous, the manufacture, sale or use of methamphetamine is 
unlawful. Users, sellers and makers can go to jail.

It behooves us all to know the signs that meth is being manufactured, maybe 
in someone's home nearby, or even in an industrial or commercial area.

Anyone who smells anhydrous ammonia or ether in their neighborhood may have 
a meth lab nearby.

Also, if there is a house in the neighborhood where the occupants stay up 
very late at night, the windows of the house are covered day and night and 
a lot of different cars are visiting, there is a good chance meth is being 
made there.

If these conditions exist, residents should report it to police or to Crime 
Stoppers immediately - before there is a chance of an explosion like the 
one north of Enid this past week.

Crime Stoppers can be reached at 233-6233 or 800-877-3694. Callers may earn 
a reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers for their information, and 
they will never have to testify in court.

The manufacture and sale of methamphetamine has reached epidemic 
proportions in Oklahoma, but individual citizens, by just being vigilant 
and knowing how to recognize the telltale signs that meth is being 
manufactured, could help put a big dent in the meth trade.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart