Pubdate: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 Source: Times Record (ME) Copyright: 2007 Times Record Inc., ASC Inc Contact: http://www.timesrecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/705 Author: Laurie Doran, Times Record Contributor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) OFFICERS RECEIVE A PRIMER ON METH LABORATORIES WOOLWICH -- First responders, fire fighters, and law enforcement officers from the surrounding areas attended a training session on recognition and awareness of methamphetamines at the Woolwich Central School recently. Kevin Cashman, a member of the Portland Maine Drug Enforcement agency, outlined the dangers of methamphetamine laboratories and explained some of the equipment found in them. "If you suspect you have entered a methamphetamine laboratory, get out as soon as you can and call the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency," said Cashman. "We are trained and equipped to handle the toxic substance." Before 1990, drug law enforcement agents gathered evidence of methamphetamine laboratories with bare hands and no protective clothing. Subsequently, many agents suffered from serious health problems such as lung disease, kidney failure, cancer, and Parkinson's disease. Since 1990, drug law enforcement agents have been required to wear protective gear. Methamphetamine is an illegal drug made of combined raw materials in home-made laboratories. The laboratories could be anywhere -- in a city, in the suburbs, or in a country area. Methamphetamine labs have been found across the country in vacant buildings, apartments, houses, barns, storage units, mobile homes, cars, campers, trailers, and hotels. Common household items used to make methamphetamine include glass canning jars, funnels, tubing and coffee filters. Recognizing incongruous items gathered near a stove is an indication of a methamphetamine laboratory. "One tell-tale sign of a methamphetamine lab is lots of coffee filters with red stains," said Cashman. "Other indicators are glass jars containing unidentified chemical substances, and chemicals not stored in original containers." Since the federal regulation of the drug ephedrine, the number of methamphetamine laboratories has decreased across the country, but the danger still exists. Some of the slang names for methamphetamine are ice, glass, christy and zip. Methamphetamine can look like other illegal drugs. It can be reddish brown, white, or gold colored. "Don't assume the drug can be readily identified. Have it tested," said Cashman. One pound of methamphetamine produces six pounds of toxic waste. Cashman pointed out that where the toxic waste of amphetamine is dumped is hazardous because of the toxic chemicals likely to be there. Meth laboratories are highly explosive environments. The gases can build up quickly and can kill. The surrounding area can also be dangerous. Drug dealers want to keep people away from their laboratory and will often set booby traps that could kill or cause serious injury. Physical effects of amphetamine users include: loss of weight, profuse sweating, body odor, bad teeth, eroded gums, scars and open sores, large pupils while under the influence of the drug, paranoia, anxiety, increased aggressiveness, and insomnia. Amphetamine users are more prone to diseases such hepatitis, AIDS, cancer, herpes, and tuberculosis. All it takes is one use of amphetamine to become addicted. Recovery rates for amphetamine users are grim. Statistics indicate that 93 percent of users relapse. Only 7 percent recover from the addiction. A drug user on amphetamine may be armed, said Cashman. Anyone who encounters a methamphetamine user should proceed with caution. Keep a distance, keep hands visible, don't make any sudden movements, and if possible keep the individual talking to prevent the situation from escalating. "Safety is key," said Roger Brawn, emergency medical services director in Woolwich. "We go into homes every day, and a methamphetamine laboratory could be anywhere." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman