Methamphetamines are powerfully addictive stimulants that dramatically affect
the central nervous system. The drugs are made easily in clandestine, or illegal
laboratories with cheap over the counter ingredients. These factors combine to
make methamphetamines drugs extremely dangerous, and vulnerable to widespread
use. Methamphetamines are also commonly known as speed, meth, or chalk. In
its’ smoked form they are often referred to as ice, crystal, crank, or glass.
They are a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily
dissolves in water or alcohol. Methamphetamine's chemical structure is similar
to that of amphetamine, but it has more pronounced effects on the central
nervous system. Like amphetamines, they causes increased activity, decreased
appetite, and a general sense of well being, which can last 6 to 8 hours. After
the initial rush, there is typically a state of high agitation that in some
individuals can lead to violent behavior. Contrary to the stereotype of rural
areas as idyllic, protected environments in which to raise families, substance
abuse is as great a problem as it is in the cities. One must realize that rural
communities vary in characteristics considerably, which complicates our
understanding of rural substance use problems and increases the need for
prevention, intervention, and treatment programs. For too long, the problems of
alcohol and drug abuse in rural areas have received little attention from the
federal level. As national studies show, those who live in rural areas are just
as likely to have alcohol and other drug problems as those who live in large and
small cities. The choice of addictive substances may differ, but the prevalence
of abuse is virtually the same for country and city dweller alike. Less
attention has been focused on drug use in rural than urban areas despite
evidence that metro and nonmetro differences in rates of substance abuse have
been declining. Between 1975 and 1991, the National Household Survey on Drug
Abuse (NHSDA) collected drug, alcohol, and tobacco use data from individuals age
12 and older living in U.S. households. These data are used to report trends in
illegal drug use for large and small metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of
the United States. Lifetime-use patterns of marijuana, hallucinogens, inhalants,
and cocaine by age group for the three population density areas are compared. In
general, nonmetropolitan prevalence rates for the four drugs were slightly lower
than those for the two metropolitan population density areas, however, the rates
appear to be converging. Lifetime substance use was highest for those age 18 to
34. (Moxley,1992 p.119) A clandestine laboratory is a laboratory used for the
primary purpose of illegally manufacturing controlled substances, such as
cocaine and methamphetamine. Clandestine labs are typically small, utilizing
common household appliances, glassware, and readily available chemicals. (KBI,
1997, p.1-2) Clandestine laboratories come in all sizes and are found in a
variety of locations. The most common and the fastest growing type of lab is the
methamphetamine lab, or crank lab. Methamphetamine laboratories have been seized
in homes in residential areas, vehicles, apartments, hotels, kitchens,
bathrooms, garages and various other outbuildings. (University of Kansas, 1995,
p. 6) There are many different methods for producing Methamphetamines. Each
method has its own inherent dangers. Many of the chemicals used are corrosive or
destructive, and some of the processes create noxious and harmful fumes.
Additionally, many of the chemicals can be found in common household items such
as Coleman fuel, some cleaners, and diet pills. The most productive laboratories
are commonly located in rural areas, such as farms, rural residences and
forestry land. Rural areas are often targeted for laboratory manufacturing to
avoid detection by law enforcement. Often these labs are larger and produce
strong chemical odors, which could be easily detected by neighbors. (Weisheit,
Wells, 1996, p.384) Clandestine laboratories are commonly operated on an
irregular basis. Operators often produce a batch, or conduct one step in the
process, then disassemble and store the lab, or move the lab to another location
to complete the process. This is often done in order to avoid detection by law
enforcement. (KBI, 1997, p.2) Methamphetamine labs are increasingly becoming a
public safety hazard. Even months after a lab has been closed, chemical residue
that has seeped into carpet or wood can be dangerous. (Gallon, 1998, p.48)
Police and Firefighters must take special safety courses to handle meth
situations because of the likelihood of explosions, invisible poison gases and
other dangers. People who come into contact with the highly toxic chemicals that
are used to make the drug can become sick and prolonged exposure can lead to
cancer. The majority of methamphetamine labs are of the smaller type where the
operators are use canning jars or other glass dishes. These labs are extremely
dangerous for several reasons. These lab operators are not using the proper type
of glassware that would prevent explosion or exposure to deadly gases released
from the cook, and these operators are commonly users of crank and are under the
influence while operating the lab. (http://www.sema.state.mo.us/metham.htm)
Methamphetamine does more than boost the crime rate; it creates drug addicts and
turns normal lives into nightmares. It’s manufacturing process presents an
immediate environmental hazard. The cost of cleaning up these sites can be
enormous. (Kaufman, 1998, p. 89) Not only are methamphetamine laboratories used
to manufacture illegal, often deadly drugs, but the illegal and dangerous nature
of production, has resulted in explosions, fires, toxic fumes, and irreparable
damage to human health and to the environment. Every year, fires or explosions
occur at a number of clandestine laboratory sites, which lead to their
discovery. Hazardous chemical wastes, which are the by-products of the illegal
drug manufacturing process, are more times than not disposed of using unsafe and
illegal methods. Operators dump them on the ground in streams and lakes, local
sewage systems or septic tanks, or bury them. Law enforcement personnel engaged
in clandestine drug laboratory seizure and recognition require specialized
training in the investigation of such facilities, including training in
appropriate health and safety procedures and in the use of personal protective
equipment. (University of Kansas, 1995, p11) Cleaning up a seized clandestine
drug laboratory site is a complex, dangerous, expensive, and time-consuming
undertaking. The amount of waste material from a clandestine laboratory may vary
from a few pounds to several tons depending on the size of the laboratory and
its manufacturing capabilities. (KBI, 1997, p.22) When a methamphetamine
laboratory is seized, hazardous waste materials, such as chemicals and
contaminated glassware and equipment, must be disposed of properly. Many of
these materials are reactive, explosive, flammable, corrosive, and toxic. The
danger is compounded by the fact that many federal, state, and local law
enforcement officers lack adequate training in clandestine laboratory safety
procedures and regulations, hazards, and other related health and safety issues.
(University of Kansas, 1995, p.2) Although the quantities of hazardous materials
found at a typical methamphetamine laboratory are relatively small when compared
to waste generated from a major industry, the substances to which law
enforcement personnel and others may be exposed present very real public health
concerns. (Lannone, 1998, p.36) Methamphetamine laboratories present both acute
and chronic health risks to individuals involved in the seizure and cleanup of
the facility, to those who live and work nearby, and to the violator operating
the facility. The problems are further complicated when the chemicals are stored
at off-site locations such as rental lockers. The lack of proper ventilation and
temperature controls at these off-site locations adds to the potential for fire,
explosion, and exposure to humans. Methamphetamine laboratories may contaminate
water sources and soil. In some cases, contamination may spread off site.
Careless or intentional dumping by the laboratory operator is one source of
contamination. Spilling chemicals on the floor or dumping waste into bathtubs,
sinks, toilets, or on the grounds surrounding the laboratories, and along roads
and creeks are common practices. Surface and groundwater drinking supplies could
be contaminated, potentially affecting large numbers of people. (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/meth/production.htm)
Perhaps the greatest risk of long-term exposure is assumed by unsuspecting
inhabitants of buildings formerly used by clandestine drug laboratory operators
where residual contamination may exist inside and outside the structure.
"These hazardous chemical substances pose the most significant threats to
the law enforcement officials and other first responders (fire and health
department personnel) that initially secure the site. Threats to the surrounding
human population and environment also exist, making these clandestine drug labs
a significant threat until the hazardous materials can be analyzed, properly
categorized, managed and then properly disposed." (Collins) Today's meth
labs can be compared with the illegal moonshine stills of earlier days. The
drugs can be made with a skillet and stove, in a bathtub, or even the trunk of a
car and the recipe can be found on the Internet. Why is it so popular? There are
several reasons. For the maker and seller, a $1,000 investment can make a
$20,000 profit. For the buyer, it's the cheap man's high. A $100 buy of cocaine
can give a user a 20-minute high. The same amount of meth can keep a user high
for a day or two. In other words, more bang for the buck. (KBI, 1997, p. 6)
Clandestine lab elimination is not just a law enforcement responsibility; it is
also a public health and environmental problem. The governing body must bring
all of the appropriate players into action. The responders must know their roles
and responsibilities when they take down a laboratory. First, funding must be
increased. Cleanups of labs are extremely resource-intensive and beyond the
financial capabilities of most jurisdictions. Consequently, if we divert
resources from other drug problems to clandestine laboratory enforcement and
cleanups, other drug problems will increase. (Moxley, 1992, p. 136) Second,
federal leadership must coordinate and set a training standard. Equipment and
intelligence programs also must be developed. Agencies need to conduct more
baseline research and develop plans that show the resources and coordination
required for a successful cleanup. Finally, there is a need for training for
personal protection. Responders need to know what methamphetamine is and how it
is made. They must know typical locations and the look and smell of clandestine
labs. This awareness training is needed especially in rural jurisdictions, as
these areas are preferred by lab operators, they are not easily observed and can
work anonymously. Methamphetamine has been called the "crack of the
1990s," with methamphetamine-related emergency room admissions and deaths
skyrocketing in the United States, particularly in the West. Rural areas have
been hit particularly hard. In some regions, hospitals have seen as much as
1,000% and 2,000% increases in admissions from the drug in the last 10 years. (Weisheit,
Wells, 1996, p.396) Law enforcement and substance abuse centers in Kansas have
observed an increase in the prevalence of methamphetamine. The Kansas Alcohol
and Drug Abuse Services reported an increase of 359% in methamphetamine primary
problem admissions from Fiscal Year 1994 to Fiscal Year 1997. The Kansas Highway
Patrol reported Interdiction Unit seizures for methamphetamine increasing from
1994 to 1997. Clandestine laboratory seizures reported to the Kansas Bureau of
Investigation and Drug Enforcement Agency in Kansas have also increased over the
same period. Methamphetamine accounts for up to 90 percent of all drug cases in
many Midwest communities. (http://www.kbi.org) What is being done by officials
to curb this ever-present problem? Recent initiatives by local, state, and
federal leaders have been brought up to eliminate this problem. One such program
is the Life or Meth Campaign. This campaign includes TV public service
announcements, anti-methamphetamine posters, media kits, school counselor kits,
chambers of commerce kits, and teen editor press kits. Another step taken to
help control the problem is the Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996. Because
there are no quantity limitations or uniform reporting requirements for iodine
and red phosphorous, the chemicals needed to manufacture methamphetamines, law
enforcement's ability to trace these chemicals is severely handicapped. The
Control Act of 1996 establishes new controls over key chemicals and strengthens
criminal penalties for possession and distribution of these chemicals. (http://www.senate.gov/~feinstein/meth1.html)
As rural communities struggle just to survive, they also must struggle to win
back their communities and eliminate the imposing drug problem. Without proper
funding, training, and support from each level of government the production,
trafficking, and use of illegal substances will almost surely increase.
Methamphetamine production creates a unique and deadly combination to
unsuspecting rural communities. Only through educating, support, and dedication,
will this problem be controlled.