Pubdate: Sun, 25 Dec 2005 Source: Langley Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development Contact: http://www.langleytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230 Author: Al Irwin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/grow+operations METH REARS ITS UGLY HEAD Methampetamine is a scourge on our youth and the production of it should be taken very seriously by our courts for that reason alone. Wasted young lives, crime and serious traffic accidents, spiralling health and welfare costs all spring from these meth labs. Tuesday, a fire in a meth lab on 56 Avenue near 198 Street graphically illustrated other threats the meth labs pose to society. Two Langley City firefighters were sent to hospital for observation after they were exposed to toxic fumes and experienced burning and rashes on their arms. Fortunately it was not worse. And four days before Christmas, more than 40 residents from the area surrounding the meth lab were evacuated to an emergency reception centre at about 2 p.m., and did not get the go-ahead to return home until 11 p.m. to midnight. Langley RCMP, Langley City Fire Rescue Service, the Surrey Hazmat Team, the RCMP Clandestine Lab Team, and ambulance personnel all attended the scene. And two blocks of 56 Avenue, a main thoroughfare, was blocked for several hours. At least three legitimate nearby business operations were evacuated and closed. A 22-year-old suspect is under arrest. It's unlikely he owns the house. While the council has a bylaw that authorizes Langley City to bill landlords for demolition or repairs necessary after drug busts, as yet the taxpayer is on the hook for all the costs of public safety employees and resources resulting from these crimes. Fire and police officers were tied up for hours, and the investigative team did not leave the scene until 11 p.m. Wednesday. The sooner the City goes after landlords for all costs associated with grow ops and drug labs, the better. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin