Methamphetamine and Clandestine Drug Labs Firefighter Safety 1

Methamphetamine and Clandestine Drug Labs Firefighter Safety 1 9/9/2021

Introduction l Once thought of as a west coast problem, methamphetamine use and clandestine drug labs are becoming more popular on the east coast. In 2002, 21 meth labs were seized in South Carolina. l In this training you will learn the dangers that meth users and drug labs pose to first responders and how to protect yourself. 2 9/9/2021

Lab Seizures in South Carolina 3 9/9/2021

Nationwide Lab Seizures 2002 4 9/9/2021

Learning objectives At the end of this training you should be able to: l Define methamphetamine. l Define clandestine drug lab. l Recognize the signs of meth use. l Recognize the indicators of a possible clandestine drug lab. l Understand the dangers associated with drug labs. l Know the proper actions to take if you respond to a suspected drug lab 5 9/9/2021

Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant and is highly addictive. l It produces an initial short lived rush, followed by a high that can last for 6 -8 hours. l It is produced in several forms which can be smoked, swallowed, snorted, or injected. l 6 9/9/2021

Methamphetamine (cont. ) Common street names include: speed, crank, ice, glass, and crystal or crystal meth. l Meth is made (or “cooked”) from common, easily available materials, using one of several basic chemical processes. l Most commonly used by white, blue-collar workers in their 20’s and 30’s. l 7 9/9/2021

Types of Methamphetamine l 8 9/9/2021

Signs and Symptoms Meth users can be identified by: l Agitation l Fast and excited speech l Loss of appetite l Increased physical activity l Dilated pupils l Hypertension l Increased respiration l Shortness of breath 9 9/9/2021

Signs and Symptoms (cont. ) Nausea and vomiting l Diarrhea l Insomnia l Visual and auditory hallucinations l Intense paranoia l Compulsive, repetitive actions, especially picking or scratching at skin l Episodes of sudden violent behavior l 10 9/9/2021

Long-Term Effects • • • Addiction Anorexia Stroke Cardiovascular collapse Permanent psychological problems due to chemical changes in the brain 11 9/9/2021

Questions 12 9/9/2021

Clandestine Drug Labs A clandestine drug lab is a makeshift lab used to produce illegal drugs. l There are several drugs that can be produced in these labs with the most common being methamphetamine. l Meth is cheap and easy to produce. l It is made using common chemicals and over the counter medications. l 13 9/9/2021

Where Clandestine Drug Labs Are Found Homes l Motel Rooms l Campgrounds l Mini-storage buildings l Motor homes l Trailers l Garages l Sheds l 14 9/9/2021

Meth Lab in Home 15 9/9/2021

Mobile Meth Lab 16 9/9/2021

Meth Lab in Suitcase 17 9/9/2021

Where Clandestine Drug Labs Are Found (cont. ) l Commonly found in remote areas due to the odors they produce. 18 9/9/2021

Dangers of Meth Labs l l Substances used to cook meth include corrosive, flammable, and toxic chemicals. A common by-product of making meth is hydrogen gas which is flammable and can be explosive in a confined area. Some substances become highly unstable during the cooking process and can be extremely sensitive to temperature changes. Labs may contain booby traps. 19 9/9/2021

Dangers of Meth Labs (cont. ) 20 -30% of meth labs are discovered due to explosions. l 51% of all injuries incurred at meth labs are to first responders. l Respiratory irritation is the most common injury (54%). l Eye irritation is second (11%). l 20 9/9/2021

Examples Washington l In 1996 an oven exploded as two people were using acetone, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide to make meth in an apartment. One person was transported with chemical burns causing three paramedics and three hospital employees to become exposed as well. They experienced eye irritation, respiratory distress, and vomiting. 21 9/9/2021

Examples Oregon l In 1999 a firefighter was exposed to hydrochloric acid while extinguishing a fire in a meth lab. He received chemical burns through his turn out gear. 22 9/9/2021

Iowa l In 1999 three police officers had respiratory irritation after being exposed to anhydrous ammonia during a raid at a meth lab. 23 9/9/2021

Recognizing a Drug Lab Clues which may indicate a possible drug lab include: Access denied l Covered or blacked-out windows l Unusual traffic or activities l Burn pits, stained soil, or dead vegetation l Bottles or jars with glass tubing attached l Glass cookware or frying pans containing a powdery residue l 24 9/9/2021

Recognizing a Drug Lab (cont. ) Unusually large amount of camping fuel, paint thinner, acetone, starting fluid, Lye, or drain cleaner. l Large amounts of lithium batteries l Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue. l Coffee filters with red stains, a white pasty substance, or shiny white crystals. l 25 9/9/2021

Recognizing a Drug Lab (cont. ) Occupants going outside to smoke. l Strong smell of cat urine, ether, ammonia, or acetone. l Large amounts of diet aids or cold medications that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine l 26 9/9/2021

Recognizing a Drug Lab (cont. ) The following chemicals are used to make meth and may be indicators of a possible drug lab: Iodine l Red phosphorus l Sulfuric acid l Hydrochloric acid l Muriatic Acid l Alcohol l Ether l 27 9/9/2021

Recognizing a Drug Lab (cont. ) Benzene l Freon l Chloroform l Anhydrous Ammonia l Phenyl-2 -Propane l Phenylacetone l Epsom Salts l 28 9/9/2021

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Recognizing a Drug Lab (cont. ) 35 9/9/2021

Recognizing a Drug Lab (cont. ) 36 9/9/2021

Recognizing a Drug Lab (cont. ) 37 9/9/2021

Recognizing a Drug Lab (cont. ) 38 9/9/2021

What to Do if You Suspect You are at a Drug Lab If you are already inside: l Back out immediately l DO NOT interrupt the cooking process l Do not touch any contaminated surfaces or materials ( this includes patients) l Notify law enforcement l Consider the need for decontamination 39 9/9/2021

What to Do if You Suspect You are at a Drug Lab (cont. ) If you have not yet entered the structure: l l l Notify law enforcement Call for back-up Evacuate the structure If you must enter for rescue, wear full turn-out gear and SCBA DO NOT disturb the cooking process Avoid touching contaminated surfaces and materials as much as possible 40 9/9/2021

What to Do if You Suspect You are at a Drug Lab (cont. ) Decontaminate victims and personnel l If fire is involved operate in a defensive mode l 41 9/9/2021

Summary Meth users can be unpredictable and dangerous l Meth labs can be anywhere l Meth labs are extremely dangerous to first responders l Meth labs are haz-mat as well as crime scenes l When in doubt, stay out l 42 9/9/2021