Pubdate: Thu, 03 Mar 2011
Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
Copyright: 2011 The Augusta Chronicle
Contact: http://chronicle.augusta.com/help/contact
Website: http://chronicle.augusta.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/31
Author: Kyle Martin, Staff Writer

FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS COULD HAMPER METH LAB CLEANUPS

Scrubbing out the toxic sludge of a methamphetamine lab isn't cheap or
easy.

Until recently, though, law enforcement nationwide and in the Augusta
area could count on federal dollars to pay the bill.

That changed when Congress didn't appropriate those dollars for meth
lab cleanup to the Drug Enforcement Agency in the first proposed budget.

Furthermore, "we don't anticipate that happening," said Rusty Payne,
the DEA spokesman.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country.

News stories in states including Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and
Louisiana all quote sheriffs and police chiefs citing the difficulties
this will present.

Terry Norris, the executive director of the Georgia Sheriffs'
Association, said this week that the cut would have a "profound
effect" across the state.

Methamphetamine is a powerful drug brewed from a variety of toxic
substances, including paint thinner and battery acid. The by-products
of meth production produce dangerous fumes and substances that require
deep cleaning by specialists to remove.

Experts put the cost of cleaning between $1,500 and $3,000, depending
on the extent and size of the mess.

The evolution of meth production has reduced the amount of materials
and space needed. Mobile labs in the beds of pickups and trunks of
cars are common and the so-called "shake and bake" method allows
manufacturers to produce meth using just a bottle.

Smaller labs don't diminish the risk. The danger of producing meth was
illustrated Feb. 2 when a lab hidden in the woods behind Walmart in
North Augusta caused a fire.

Richmond County dismantled 34 meth labs last year, according to Lt.
Robert Partain with the sheriff's narcotics unit.

He's not sure what it cost exactly to clean up the labs because he's
always turned that side of it over to the DEA. But even at a modest
$1,500 per site, that's $51,000 the sheriff's office will have to find
some way to cover.

Partain said he's looking at his options and talking with local code
enforcement to find out what contractors would be available.

Forfeiture money from the sale of drug dealers' possessions could
cover the immediate costs, Partain said.

Norris doesn't think the cuts are a done deal yet.

"At this point we're waiting to see what the new budget holds," he
said. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.