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.

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

HOW IS METH MADE

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?