By Tonia Noe-Rose - Staff Writer
Bathroom scientists better watch out now that over 100 Rowan County residents have been educated on the manufacturing and making of methamphetamine.
A highly toxic and addictive drug called meth is being concocted in houses, hotels and mobile homes across the state.
And it’s not just in other counties, as labs have been located in Rowan County in the past two years, as well.
But local law enforcement hopes with the help of education, maybe the production of the deadly drug could be stopped completely.
During a recent methamphetamine-training course at the Carl Perkins Center, Detective Brian Lewis, meth specialist, and Garland Fonken, meth lab clean up expert, visited Morehead to teach folks about the dangers and signs of meth.
Morehead Police Detective Sgt. David Sexton is a member of UNITE and was one of the many who attended the training program. “I think it went well, and I do believe everyone was really interested in what Brian Lewis had to say,” Sexton said. “These types of programs are needed in our community to educate everyone about meth.”
Lewis said the drug is often called several names and used by a diverse group of people.
“It’s commonly known as speed and chalk, and in its smoked form it’s often called crystal, crank and glass,” Lewis told those attending the training course. “It can be smoked, snorted, injected and orally digested. Some people think labs are only found in mobile homes in trailer parks and in housing projects. But, we have found them in low-income communities and in also in $500,000 homes. The rich people who make and use the drug call it crystal meth. I guess they think it’s a classier drug when named that. But it doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s made the same way.”
Lewis said meth is a scheduled II stimulant that has high risk of abuse and available without a prescription. With the right recipe and a few items purchased at any local hardware and department store, meth chiefs can whip up a batch in about 45 minutes.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows that methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant associated with serious health problems including memory loss, aggression, violence, psychotic behavior and potential heart and neurological damage. It also contributes to increased transmission of infectious diseases, especially hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.
Lewis said there are two particular recipes used for making meth. One involves the use of hydrous gas and the other iodine (red pea). But regardless of which recipe a person chooses to use, he or she must have the main ingredient, Sudafed™.
However, people not making it themselves are getting it out of Mexico where there are no laws against the excessive buying of Sudafed, Lewis said.
Although Kentucky has passed laws against the overbuying of the cold medicines that include the active ingredient pseudoephedrine, meth makers continue to find ways to buy the most important component in making their concoctions, Lewis said. “They will have others go get it for them and they are now taking plastic Certs™ containers off the shelves and placing the Sudafed in them,” he said. “I’d say they hide somewhere in the store or go into a bathroom to make the change. A Certs box will hold about 200 cold tablets. Store clerks are not aware that the Certs have been taken out.”
Lewis said he and other Kentucky law enforcement agencies are working diligently to uncover as many meth labs as possible. “This is a deadly drug that gets people addicted and then kills them,” he assured. “Using it just one time can start the addition. We have to do what we can to stop the epidemic. Anyone that is aware of a meth lab or suspects one in their area or other areas should call police right away.”
Short-term effects of meth include:
• Increased attention and decreased fatigue
• Increased activity and wakefulness
• Decreased appetite
• Euphoria and rush
• Increased respiration
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Hyperthermia
Long-term effects:
• Addiction
• Psychosis, including paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Repetitive motor activity
• Changes in brain structure and function
• Memory loss
• Aggressive or violent behavior
• Mood disturbances
• Severe dental problems
• Weight loss
Some items used in the making of meth include:
• Hydrous gas
• Iodine
• Sudafed
• Drain-O™
• Lye
• Muriatic acid
• Lighter fluid
Potential Meth lab indicators:
• Windows covered – cardboard and black plastic
• Light left on for long periods of time
• Activity during all hours of the day and night continuing for several days
• Heavy vehicle or foot travel all times of day and night
• People and cars stay for short periods of time
• Taxis used to avoid license plate ID
• Drug paraphernalia litter around the house
• Coded porch lights
• Guard dogs
• Beware of Dog signs posted on residence or yard
• Large amounts of cold tablet containers
• Jars containing clear liquid and white colored solid on bottom
• Jars labeled as containing iodine or dark shiny metallic power
• Coffee filters containing a white pasty substance
• Bottles labeled as containing sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid
• Bottles or jar with rubber tubing attached
• Glass cookware or frying pans containing a powdery residue that looks like burned food
• Large number of cans – Coleman fuel containers, paint thinners, acetone, starting fluid, Red Devil dye, drain cleaners or bottles of muratic acid.
• Large amounts of lithium batteries (especially those that have been stripped)
• Soft silver or gray metallic ribbon (in chunk form) stored in oil or kerosene
• Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue or green
• Strong smell of urine (like cat urine)
• Strong chemical smells (like either ammonia or acetone)
• Pieces of clothing that are stained red
• Evidence of chemical waste or dumping (often in yard or creek)
• Children’s toys or clothing in the yard (that would otherwise be kept inside)
• Electrical cords outside (strung across the yard possible from a neighbor’s house)
• Playhouses or other large toys in the yard in odd places (often used to cover waste dumps)
• Occupants go outside to smoke
• Occupants set their garbage at a neighbors’ or in another person’s collection area
• Large amounts of garbage placed in the back of a vehicle
Emergency numbers if a Meth lab is suspected:
Rowan County Sheriff – 784-5446; Morehead Police – 784-7511; Kentucky State Police – 784-4127; Morehead State Public Security – 783-2035 and Operation UNITED tip line – 1-866-424-4382.
