Meth labs

Methamphetamine and Meth Labs
Information, Identification Tips, and What to Do If You Think You Have Discovered a
Meth Lab, Dealer, or User

WARNING!
IF YOU HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT
SOMEONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD MAY
BE USING, DEALING, OR MANUFACTURING
METHAMPHETAMINES DO NOT CONFRONT
YOUR NEIGHBOR OR ENTER THE SUSPECTED LAB!
Contact your local law enforcement agency. Osage Co. S.O. (918) 287-3150

What is Meth?
Methamphetamine (Meth) is a very potent central nervous system stimulant.
The drug works directly on the brain and
spinal cord by interfering with normal
neurotransmission.
The main neurotransmitter affected by
methamphetamine is dopamine.
Methamphetamine may be inhaled,
smoked, or injected.

Who uses Meth?
Meth has a very versatile following. It shows no preferences to race, age, sex, gender, or income/ social class.
Everyone is a candidate for Meth use!

What does meth look like?
Meth comes in a variety of colors, textures, and shapes. Depending on the cutting agent, cook process, and ingredients, meth could be different tints or colors (i.e. pink, yellow, white, crystalline, etc.).

How is Meth ingested?
There is a variety of methods use to introduce Meth into the body.
Different methods are used for different or quicker effects and personal preference.
The different methods used can sometimes indicate the level of experience the user has using Meth.

Snorting or eating Meth
Similar to cocaine, Meth can be snorted, using small straws or rolled up dollar bills. It can also be placed into the mouth and swallowed or can be mixed with coffee or other beverages and drank.

Smoking meth
Meth can be heated and smoked in light bulbs, tin foil, water cooled pipes, or in common convenience store items.

Injecting meth
Often, meth is injected so it can be introduced into the bloodstream at a faster rate.
Generally, injection is the preferred method of ingestion by heavy users of meth.

What is the cost of Meth?
It only takes a very small amount of Meth to effect the body. One small dosage could effect the body for days.
Meth is often sold in ¼ gram packages, commonly referred to as “quarter papers”. Usually sold for $20 to $25.
A gram would generally cost $100. One gram is about equal to a “Sweet N Low” packet at a restaurant.
Anymore then a gram would usually indicate a Meth dealer.

If I suspect someone of using Meth, what should I look for?
Meth is always packaged, usually in plastic baggies. Often small jewelry baggies that sometimes have designs or in corners of baggies.
Look for white residue in the discarded baggies.
Look for triangle shaped corners of baggies, often that have been heated or burnt closed.

Pipes
Glass pipes are commonly sold at “head shops”.
They can come in a variety of shapes, colors, or sizes.
Light bulbs, or small glass pipes can be used to smoke Meth.
Often, a straw or pen is used to inhale the smoke from the glass pipe or tin foil.

Needles
Hypodermic needles or homemade syringes.
Bent spoons with charred bottoms.
Propane torch or torch lighter.

Adult magazines and sex toys
Due to the increased libido, and/or sex drive it is very common to find adult toys in the home.
Adult magazines, and often child pornography, are commonly found in the homes of Meth users.

What does Meth do?
Increased energy, feelings of euphoria,
decreased appetite, and decreased need
for sleep.
Increased heart rate, blood pressure,
sweating, restlessness, and anxiety.

Long term effects
Physical Effects
– Brain Damage
– Kidney And Lung Disorders
– Liver Damage
– Death
Psychological Effects
– Severe Depression
– Paranoid Psychosis

Long term effects

Other effects of meth
Increased violence.
Increased risk of contracting STD’s

General Signs of Meth use.
Quick and/or extreme weight loss.
Needle marks or “tracks”.
Paranoid behavior.
Constant “sniffing”.
Unusual facial expressions or movements of the mouth.
Unusual irritability.
Inability to sleep, insomnia, or staying up/ out late.

Other effects of meth
Increased Violence
– Methamphetamine use increases the user’s
propensity to violence.
– Police in Contra Costa County, California
report that nearly 90% of the domestic
violence calls they investigate are
methamphetamine related.
– There is also violence between drug
producers, dealers, and distributors.

Increased risk of contracting STD’s
The drug increases the user’s propensity
to engage in risk-taking acts including
sexual promiscuity.
Needles, used to take the drug
intravenously, can transmit STD’s and
other diseases.

Methamphetamine labs
The manufacture of methamphetamines is done
in meth labs.
Meth labs can be set up anywhere including
houses, mobile homes, sheds, office buildings, etc.
Meth manufacturing is extremely dangerous and
uses many common chemical products.
Many of the chemicals used in making meth are
very toxic and volatile. Exposure to these
chemicals can cause great bodily harm.

Meth lab chemicals
When mixed, the chemicals used in the
manufacturing process can damage the central
nervous system, liver and kidneys and burn or
irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat.
The chemicals and fumes that permeate the
walls, carpets, plaster and wood in meth labs, as
well as the surrounding soil, are known to cause
cancer, short-term and permanent brain
damage, and immune and respiratory system
problems.

Risk and fire injury
Meth labs also are a great risk of explosion and
fire which can result in serious injury and death.

Chemicals used in the Meth lab
– Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine Cold Tablets
-Red Phosphorus (Match Heads)
-Methanol (Heet)
– Rubbing Alcohol
– Lithium (Batteries)
– Veterinarian Products
– Iodine Crystals
– Sulfuric Acid (Drano) –
– Solvents (Camp Stove Fuel, Acetone, etc) Litter – Salt –
– Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) – Toluene (Break Cleaner) – Ether (Starting Fluid) –
Anhydrous amonia
Drano/ Red devil lye.
Etc, etc.

Chemicals

Equipment used
Pyrex or Corning Dishes
– Jugs/Bottles – Paper Towels –
– Coffee Filters – Thermometer –
– Funnels
– Blenders – Rubber Tubing/Gloves –
– Pails/Buckets – Gas Cans –
– Tape/Clamps – Internet Docs –
– Strainers – Aluminum Foil –
– Propane Cylinders – Hotplates –
– “ How to Make Meth” Books
– Plastic Containers/Ice Chests –
– Measuring Cups –
– Towels/Bed Sheets –
– Laboratory Beakers/Glassware

Environmental Damage
For every pound of methamphetamine produced
there is, on average, six pounds of toxic waste
and materials that remain.

Activities that may indicate a meth lab
Frequent visitors at all times of the day or night.
Activity at the house is usually at odd hours or late at
night.
Occupants appear unemployed, yet seem to have plenty
of money and pay bills with cash.
Occupants are unfriendly and/or appear secretive about
activities.
Occupants watch cars suspiciously when they pass by.
Occupants display a paranoid or odd behavior.
Extensive security at the home or signs that indicate
"Private Property" or "Beware of Dog", fences, large
shrubs, bushes and trees.
Windows blackened or curtains always drawn.

Activities continued
Occupants go outside the house to smoke cigarettes.
Strong chemical odors coming from the house, garbage or detached buildings.
Garbage contains numerous bottles, containers, and
materials such as those displayed on the previous slides.
Coffee filters, bed sheets or other material stained from
filtering red phosphorus or other chemicals.
Occupant sets his/her garbage for pick up in another
neighbor's collection area.
Evidence of chemical or waste dumping (i.e. burn pits, or "dead spots" in the yard.)
What have others in your neighborhood observed?

Don’t jump the gun
Any single activity may or may not be sole
proof that drug dealing or
methamphetamine manufacturing is
occurring.
However, a combination of the described
activities may be cause for concern.

Again…
IF YOU HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT
SOMEONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD MAY BE USING, DEALING, OR MANUFACTURING METHAMPHETAMINES DO NOT CONFRONT YOUR NEIGHBOR OR ENTER THE SUSPECTED LAB!
Contact you local law enforcement agency

Information sources
Information and text for this presentation
taken from the following sources:
– “ Methamphetamine: What is it and why is it dangerous?”
http://www.cornerstonebh.com/meth1.htm
– “ How To Recognize the Signs of a Meth Lab”
http://www.cityofsalem.net/~police/Meth%20Lab%20Signs.htm
– “ Methamphetamine and Meth labs”
Golden Police Department, Golden, CO.
- Some images taken from various websites utilizing image search engines.

This slide presentation was built for the citizens of Osage County, in an attempt to help us better understand the effects and recognition of Meth and Meth labs and it’s use/abuse.
PRESENTED BY: THE OSAGE COUNTY SHERIFF, TY KOCH
WRITTEN BY: CAPTAIN DAVE HINMAN

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