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Police Department, Crime Prevention

Methamphetamines

WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE?

Methamphetamine is a stimulant. Nicknames include meth, crank, glass, speed, crystal, STP and others. Until the price of cocaine began dropping, meth was known an "the poor man's cocaine." Meth is usually ingested, snorted or injected. A more dangerous form of Methamphetamine, "ice," can be smoked.

While some Methamphetamine sold on the street is white, much of it is yellowish, or even brown, and is sometimes the consistency of damp powdered sugar. The drug has a strong medicinal smell. It is often sold in tiny "Ziploc" type plastic bags.

Besides being illegal, clandestine laboratories are extremely dangerous. Possible risks include explosions, fire, exposure to toxic chemicals, and even unintended confrontation with armed meth "cooks." In addition, the costs can be high - toxic contamination left behind must be cleaned to State specifications.

IF YOU FIND A METH LAB

Leave immediately. You will not know which chemicals are present, whether or not the place is booby trapped, or how clean the operation is. Don't stay to figure it out! Do not open containers or attempt to smell any item or the contents of any container. Do not turn on, turn off, or unplug anything. Do not touch anything!
If you are not sure you have discovered a lab, but think you may have, don't stay and investigate. Make a mental note of what has made you suspicious and get out.

What do I look for?

• The smell of chemicals or solvents not associated with residential housing.
• The presence of chemical glassware such as flasks, beakers, rubber tubing and condensers.
  
• Garbage containing broken flasks, beakers, glass cookware, or other chemical paraphernalia
  
• A high volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, often remaining at a home only for a brief time. Traffic may increase on certain days, during the weekend or late at night.
  
• Various obvious signs of drug use, such as people exchanging packets for cash, using drugs while sitting in their cars, or syringes or other paraphernalia lying around.

WHAT EVERY RETAILER SHOULD KNOW

• Learn and watch for the early indicators of possible drug lab activity listed in the previous section.
• Require that each person who purchases suspicious items show a photo ID. Record driver's license numbers or other identifying data from the documents.
• Visually check and then write down the license plate numbers of customers purchasing suspicious items.
• If the indicators are strong enough, consider refusing to sell the items to them.
• Call your local law enforcement immediately (911) if you become convinced that a customer is purchasing items to be used in the illegal manufacture of controlled substances.

WHAT CAN I DO?

• Watch what goes on in your neighborhood.
• Meet and get to know your neighbors.
• Know if there are any rental properties in the neighborhood and who the landlords are.
• If you notice anything suspicious CALL THE POLICE!
• You may provide information and remain anonymous.

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For further information please contact the
Police Programs Coordinator at 303 - 774 - 4440.