METH PRESENTATION
What is Methamphetamine?
WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE
Methamphetamine is a stimulant.
Methamphetamine is also called “Crystal, Meth, Ice, Speed, Crank”
Methamphetamine is a powder or crystal. Meth is usually smoked by heating the powder or rocks. It can also be snorted in its powder form Meth is sometimes made into capsules or pills.
METH AND THE BODY *Meth is highly addictive, and users just want more. *Meth makes the heart race and sends blood pressure sky-high and can keep the user awake for days at a time. *Meth can also cause breathing problems. *Meth takes away a persons appetite while also causing hyperactivity, leaving the door open for anorexia. *People who do meth get irritable, confused, and easily freaked out. It causes extreme paranoia. *It can lead to death, strokes, and damage to the heart and blood vessels. *Meth users teeth become rotten from the heat of the pipe and harsh chemicals in the smoke. Users of large amount of methamphetamines over a long period of time can develop an amphetamine psychosis, which is a mental disorder similar to paranoid schizophrenia. The symptoms of this psychosis are hallucinations, delusions, and extreme paranoia.
METH PIPE
What happens to People that use Meth
Effects on the Mind
Paranoia Depression Irritability Panic attacks Mental Illness Delusions Hallucinations Sleep Deprivation Extreme Violence
Open Sores Meth users suffer from what they call "Crank Bugs". Meth is manufactured with chemicals that are toxic to the human body, and once the drug is taken the chemicals remain. The body's natural reaction is to try and eliminate the toxins. Users itch and scratch which causes the open sores.
The cycle of abuse
Who is using methamphetamine? There are two basic profiles of users reported by law enforcement and
treatment professionals: 1) students, both high school and college age; 2) white, blue-collar workers and unemployed people in their 20s and 30s.
HOW IS METH MADE
The processing required to make methamphetamine from precursor substances is easier and more accessible than ever. The needed items can be purchased at local retailers. Common ingredients: Cold tablets, lithium batteries, Toluene, Ether, drain cleaner, Anhydrous ammonia, Red phosphorus, iodine, gun scrubber
There are literally thousands of recipes and information about making meth on the Internet. An investment of a few hundred dollars in over-thecounter medications and chemicals can produce thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine. The average “METH COOKER" annually teaches ten other people how to make the drug.
METH LAB IN RURAL MAPLETON MARCH 2004
Pseudoephedrine (Cold Medicine) Hazards
High Blood Pressure Heart Problems Anxiety Dizziness Vomiting Kidney Failure Seizures DEATH
BLISTER PACKS FROM PILL PACKAGING
Acetone/Ethyl Alcohol Hazards
Extremely Flammable Severe stomach irritation Coma DEATH
Ether
Starting Fluid
Red Phosphorus (matches) Hazards
Explodes on contact Ignites if heated Vapors severely burn nose, throat, lungs and eyes DEATH
Hazards
Lithium Metal
Removed from Batteries Caustic (burns flesh) Explodes on contact with water Extreme Injury or DEATH
COOKERS WILL REMOVE THE LITHUIM STRIPS FROM BATTERIES
BATTERY WRAPPINGS
Anhydrous Ammonia (Fertilizer) Hazards
Throat Swelling Choking Eye Damage Burns nose and throat Very often inhaling it results in a slow painful DEATH
ANYHDROUS AMMONIA
ATTEMPTED ANYDROUS AMMONIA THEFT RURAL PEMBERTON, MN
Rural Mapleton Area in Blue Earth County. 20lb LP cylinder connected to a commercial Anhydrous Ammonia fill station.
ANHYDROUS WILL CAUSE THE BRASS TO TURN ROBIN EGG BLUE IN COLOR
TANK RECOVERED IN RURAL MAPLETON
Meth Lab found in a residence in Blue Earth County Dec 2004
FOR EVERY METH LAB DISCOVERED
The drug can be made in a makeshift "lab" that can fit into a suit case.
LAB FOUND NEAR GOOD THUNDER
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE 12 UNDISCOVERED ACTIVE LABS
Meth lab trends
1996 -17 meth labs were found in MN
1998 -35 meth labs were found in MN
2003 -450 labs investigated in Minnesota
GLASSWARE
MIXER USED TO GRIND THE PSEUDOEPHRINE TABLETS
COFFEE FILTER STAINED WITH BYPRODUCT FROM A PILL WASH
LIQUID IS HEATED TO EVAPORATE THE WASH CHEMICAL FROM THE PRODUCT
Gas generator
Components of a METH lab found in a ditch by a Rapidan Township employee while working Northwest of Good Thunder on 08/05/03
WHERE HAVE METH LABS BEEN DISCOVERED
HOMES VEHICLES MOTEL ROOMS FARM BUILDINGS SECLUDED WOODED SITES STORAGE BUILDINGS
MOBILE METH LAB
LAB LOCATED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE
METH LABS OR DUMP SITES IN BLUE EARTH COUNTY FOR 2003 LABS FOUND IN OR NEAR WERE FOUND IN OR NEAR THESE CITIES
RAPIDAN GOOD THUNDER GARDEN CITY MAPLETON EAGLE LAKE Vernon Center
ST. CLAIR MADISON LAKE MANKATO PEMBERTON LAKE CRYSTAL
DANGERS TO THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS AND FIRE PERSONNEL
Exposure to hazardous chemicals and unsafe chemical containers
LAB FOUND IN BLUE EARTH COUNTY
GUNS AND STOLEN PROPERTY ARE USUALLY FOUND AT OR NEAR METH LABS
Environmental Issues In addition to the risk of explosive gases, chemical contamination from the hazardous waste of these clan labs poses a serious threat to the environment and consequently to the health of unsuspecting citizens in nearby communities. Each pound of meth manufactured in a clan lab generates up to 5 to 7lbs of toxic waste. Clan lab operators routinely dump such waste into local streams, rivers, and sewage systems in order to cover up the evidence of their illegal operations. Moreover, chemical reactions that occur during the manufacturing of meth produce chemical vapors that can permeate walls, carpets, plaster, and even the wooden structures of buildings. The average clan lab costs $3,000 to clean up. However, large production labs, because of the significant quantities of toxic chemicals and higher hazardous waste disposal charges, can result in cleanup costs exceeding $100,000. Annually, the overall cleanup of these labs costs the DEA and other government agencies millions of dollars
COOKERS ROUTINELY DUMP CHEMICAL WASTES AND SUPPLIES IN ROAD DITCHES AND ON ABANDONED PROPERTIES
Old Imperial gas station off of CR 69 on the south side of Hwy 169 in South bend Twp, Blue Earth County
How much does METH cost on the street? The cost varies according to several factors, including purity of the drug, the region in which it is sold, the source of the drug (local product vs. imported) and availability of the drug. The approximate prices are: $25 per 1/4 gram $ 100 per gram $1000 per ounce Experts estimate that one ounce of meth equals about 110 meth "hits."
WHAT CAN WE DO?
REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
Signs of a meth lab operation
Chemical odors Persons coming & going at all hours Excessive traffic, often short stay Chemical containers - tubing used in these containers Exhaust fans in constant use Large quantities or matches, acetone, lithium batteries and other meth making ingredients Coffee grinders, blenders with white residue Coffee filters with red stains Filthy living conditions Chemical containers in the trash Thermos, plastic liter pop bottles Plastic baggies
WATCH FOR POSSIBLE SIGNS OF 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 ARE UNFRIENDLY, APPEAR SECRETIVE ABOUT ACTIVITIES OCCUPANTS WATCH CARS SUSPICIOUSLY WHEN THEY PASS BY WINDOWS BLACKENED OR CURTAINS ALWAYS DRAWN CHEMICAL ODORS COMING FROM THE HOUSE, SHED OR GARAGE GARBAGE CONTAINS NUMEROUS BOTTLES CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS LIKE (BLISTER PACKS, BATTERIES, DRAIN CLEANER) OCCUPANTS DISPLAY A PARANOID OR ODD BEHAVIOR OCCUPANTS APPEAR TO BE UNEMPLOYED OR NO SIGN OF LEGITAMITE INCOME OCCUPANTS DO NOT PUT THEIR GARBAGE OUT FOR COLLECTION
Methamphetamine life is too short already…… Victim of a meth lab fire
Why make it shorter with meth?
