Meth: An American Gothic Horror (How to recognize meth labs and meth cookers in your community)

Electric Consumer ^ | April 2004 | Unk

[SLB]

Methamphetamine is a highly toxic and addictive drug made in make-shift labs using mostly common household chemicals. Meth labs may be set up at homes, campgrounds, rest areas, rental properties … just about anywhere a "cooker" thinks he can get away with the smell in solitude for a couple of hours.

Though most users are unemployed or blue-collar rural white men aged 25-40, use among rural high school and even junior high students is growing. State police say meth makers they've arrested include a grandmother in her late 60s, a suburbanite in a $300,000 home and one pharmaceutical researcher pulling in a six-figure salary.

You can help police stop illegal meth labs by learning the signs and reporting them to the police.

How can you recognize a meth lab? Alone, any of these activities or signs may not mean meth manufacturing is occurring. However, a combination of them may indicate a problem: • Strong odors of solvents or ammonia coming from the house, garage or detached buildings. • Windows blacked out or curtains always drawn. • Exhaust fans running constantly; windows open in all weather. • Excessive trash with numerous empty bottles and containers, coffee filters with red stains, and lithium batteries that have been broken open. • Visitors and activity at all hours. • Person doesn't work, yet seems to have money, pays bills with cash. • Presence of weapons, especially sawed-off shotguns, handguns. • Extensive security in place, or odd "No Trespassing" signs posted, or boldy painted on buildings. • Presence of precursors used to make meth — multiple packages of cold tablets containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, cans of engine starter fluid, camping fuel, anti-freeze, drain cleaner, salt, acids, jugs, jars and bottles, funnels and tubing, propane or pressurized tanks (often stained with blue-green corrosion and fitted with make-shift valves).

How can you tell if someone is using meth? Symptoms may include: • Inability to sleep or eat. • Nervous physical activity, like scratching, rocking, wringing of hands. • Irritability, dizziness, or confusion. • Severe weight loss. • Flushed or tense appearance. • Chemical odors on breath or clothes. • Excessive sweating, body odor. • Rapid speech; rambling conversation. • Rotting teeth, poor hygiene. • Scars, acne and open sores. • Paranoia, depression.

Warnings: If you think you've found remnants of a meth lab on your property or along a roadside, get away from it. Discarded meth labs are toxic hazards that can include anhydrous ammonia and/or hydrochloric acid in unsuitable containers. Their contents can explode or be released if moved or even jarred slightly. Call your sheriff's department or the nearest state police post.

If you observe trespassers or suspect people are on your property making meth, do not confront them. If they are meth makers, they may be armed. Be safe: call your local police immediately to have them investigate.

[SLB]

Go to the link for a more detailed account of who is watching you, the meter reader for your local power company and how they determine if you are a suspect.

[HELLRAISER II]

I think that this is the reason that ephederine is under attack right now. Big Brother is deciding what's good or not good for us, but your right you would be suprised at just how many people are watching you and you don't even know it.

[2banana]

How can you tell if someone is using meth? Symptoms may include: • Inability to sleep or eat. • Nervous physical activity, like scratching, rocking, wringing of hands. • Irritability, dizziness, or confusion. • Severe weight loss. • Flushed or tense appearance. • Chemical odors on breath or clothes. • Excessive sweating, body odor. • Rapid speech; rambling conversation. • Rotting teeth, poor hygiene. • Scars, acne and open sores. • Paranoia, depression.

Sounds like most liberals I know...

[Owl_Eagle]

Presence of precursors used to make meth — multiple packages of cold tablets containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, cans of engine starter fluid, camping fuel, anti-freeze, drain cleaner, salt, acids, jugs, jars and bottles, funnels and tubing, propane or pressurized tanks (often stained with blue-green corrosion and fitted with make-shift valves).

 

They had me at "engine starter fluid" but it just kept getting better (chemical odor on breath, sweating, rotting teeth...).  Anyone know of a site that will tell me how to make my own meth?  I gotta get some of that stuff in my body post haste!

 

Owl_Eagle

”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores

Presence of precursors used to make meth — multiple packages of cold tablets containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, cans of engine starter fluid, camping fuel, anti-freeze, drain cleaner, salt, acids, jugs, jars and bottles, funnels and tubing, propane or pressurized tanks (often stained with blue-green corrosion and fitted with make-shift valves).

They had me at "engine starter fluid" but it just kept getting better (chemical odor on breath, sweating, rotting teeth...).  Anyone know of a site that will tell me how to make my own meth?  I gotta get some of that stuff in my body post haste!

[ken5050]

more signs of a former meth lab location : the big whole in the roof, the large crater in the ground..

[breakem]

there was a thread here this weekend from Carlsbad CA. The house got raided because they had a high electric bill. Must be growing pot indoors, donchano.

[SLB]

Go to your local Wally World and try to buy some Sudafed. the packages are off of the shelves, you have to ask for them at the pharmacy. Same in the local Kroger, a snatch and grab tried to make it out of the door with a case from the shelf there last fall. She had over 10,000 pills in the trunk of her car. Wow, she must have had some head cold!

[SLB]

there was a thread here this weekend from Carlsbad CA. The house got raided because they had a high electric bill. Must be growing pot indoors, donchano.

Also said they took their trash out at the last minute, heck I have been known to almost chase the truck down the street at 5:00 AM if I forget the night before.

[AppyPappy]

The problem is that it affects everyone in the proximity when it is made. Kids come to school reeking of Meth because their old man is making tweak in the back bedroom. Meth makes people really, really stupid.

[Ruth A.]

Meth is a real problem in Hawaii. I have no problem with people being aware of suspicious activity.

[breakem]

expect a knock at the door

[Astronaut]

Just come to my county in Washington State. We have many meth labs here, and most people know where they are. Two methers just stabbed each other the other day, but the paper wouldn't report it was meth related because we rely on tourism, and we wouldn't want the dufuses from Seattle to know that this place is swimming in meth. Meth was found in the high school last week - also unreported. The Sheriff wants to maintain the illusion that "we dont have a drug problem." The Sheriff and most of his deputies dont know how to deal with narcotics. They have two detectives that have no training in narcotics, and dont know how to obtain search warrants! Unbelievable, I know. So the County swims in methamphetamine, and it gets worse every day. We also have drug runners who smuggle tons of marijuana from British Columbia by boat, and use this place to transship it to Seattle. The Sheriff doesn't care, stating that what happens on the water isn't our problem. I just hope the druggers all OD and die off, because law enforcement isn't doing squat.

[HELLRAISER II]

This is what bothers me, yesterday I remember reading about a story from Lousisana where they have determined that cops don't even need a search warrant and it was approved by the judge. This sets bad precdence in my opinion, it's also going to end up causing the deaths of many innocents as well as cops.

[HELLRAISER II]

Meth is the new Crack Cocaine of the 21st Century.

[walden]

I just bought Sudafed at Target last weekend-- the packages may be off the shelves in some localities but certainly not here.

[breakem]

IMO that one will be thrown out upon appeal. Direct contradiction of constitution.

[Gringo1]

or most French people.

[SLB]

expect a knock at the door

The last time I took the garbage out at the last minute the state trooper who lives across the street was also taking his out. Is this a trend?

[breakem]

You think that's a coincidence? The worst part is the state police have obviously moved into your neighborhood to conduct ingoing surveillence on your family. Be careful.

[Mr. Mojo]

• Inability to sleep or eat. • Nervous physical activity, like scratching, rocking, wringing of hands. • Irritability, dizziness, or confusion. • Severe weight loss. • Flushed or tense appearance. • Chemical odors on breath or clothes. • Excessive sweating, body odor.

Sounds great......where can I get some? </ sarcasm>

Back when I was in HS kids did drugs (like beer and pot) because it made them feel good. Meth-users, by contrast, appear to want to punish themselves.

[AppyPappy]

Someone once told me "Meth is like Crack on Crack".

Uhhhhh......OK.

[Salgak]

In Virginia, you're limited to two 2-packs of Nyquil or a two boxes of Cold Pills at a single purchase. . . .

[martin_fierro]

What meth will do to you:

Penny Wood, 1998

Penny Wood, 2002

[Agnes Heep]

Meth-users, by contrast, appear to want to punish themselves.

I once accidentally overdosed on theophylline, which I was using to treat an asthmatic condition. Believe me, if I had had ready access to a gun, I think I would have ended it all. Why anyone would want to impose such a condition on himself is absolutely beyond me.

[auggy]

"Meth makes people really, really stupid."

Maybe, that's why the Liberals don't get it?

Their ideology is really, really stupid, but they sure don't think it is.

[I still care]

I once had a tenant who I strongly suspected was selling drugs from my house. I was trying to evict him, and went to an attorney.

The attorney told me to consult with a criminal lawyer to safeguard my property from government seizure.

I was able to get him out in couple of months, so I never went. But it was a scary thought.

[Fishface]

Right on. Based on these symptoms, we may be obligated to report Al Franken to the authorities. The "open sores and rotting teeth" are a dead give away.

[HELLRAISER II]

I doubt they could have seized and kept your property, but they could've impounded it until after the trial and when they got good and ready they might give it back to you. The Govt. doesn't really give a rats behind about your individual rights especially when drugs are involved and unfortunately it's only getting worse. I'm glad you got him out of there without any fuss.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Meth makes people really, really stupid.

Hard to explain that first step though. The one that has them putting it into their bodies in the first place. I guess they're only, really stupid, before they start using.

"A little more chlorine in the gene pool, please."

[AppyPappy]

I don't know. You see that list of ingredients and you can't help but be tempted.

[Drawsing]

From what I hear, Meth has a unique cultural dynamic. It is almost exclusively a rural white trash drug. You can't make it in the city because the smell will give you away. I had never heard of it until I visited relatives in a small town.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

You see that list of ingredients and you can't help but be tempted.

[wardaddy]

Putnam county seems to be overrun with it.

I don't like it much.....frenzy dope is always the worst.

[JMK]

..."most users are unemployed or blue-collar rural white men aged 25-40..."

Racial profiling!

[coloradan]

How can you recognize a meth lab? Alone, any of these activities or signs may not mean meth manufacturing is occurring. However, a combination of them may indicate a problem:

• Strong odors of solvents or ammonia coming from the house, garage or detached buildings.

Painters take note.

• Windows blacked out or curtains always drawn. People sensitive to light, or who like privacy. People with darkrooms.
• Exhaust fans running constantly; windows open in all weather. People who like fresh air.
• Excessive trash with numerous empty bottles and containers. Visitors and activity at all hours. Party animals have lots of bottles, and don't follow the same schedule the rest of us do.
• Person doesn't work, yet seems to have money, pays bills with cash. Trust funders. Vending machine operators.
• Presence of weapons, especially ... handguns. Freepers. Conservatives. Gun Rights advocates. Women victims of sexual assault or harrassment. Past victims of crime.
• Extensive security in place, or odd "No Trespassing" signs posted, or boldy painted on buildings. Survivalists, privacy buffs, victims of sexual assault or stalking, people who live in fear, government agents. (What is an "odd" no trespassing sign?)
• resence of precursors used to make meth — multiple packages of cold tablets containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, The perenially sick, people with severe allergies.
• cans of engine starter fluid, People who work on or own old vehicles, or who live in cold climates.
• camping fuel Campers, survivalists.
• anti-freeze, drain cleaner, salt, acids, jugs, jars and bottles, funnels Absolutely everyone under the sun who owns a vehicle, plumbing, and a kitchen, or who cleans concrete or clears drains without calling for help. Do you own any jars? Excuse me sir, is that a funnel I see in your kitchen? Is this salt in this shaker here? You aren't in possession of any bottles, are you? What, is this drain cleaner I see here? What are you, a meth cooker?
• tubing Got an aquarium? An irrigation system with drip lines? Model airplanes or boats?
• propane or pressurized tanks Do you own a barbeque? A propane torch? A welder? A propane-powered mosquito trap? Generator?

That's right, folks. Any DEA agent in the land could write everyone and anyone up for a no-knock search warrant, based on your possession of ordinary things, and/or pursuit of ordinary activities, thanks to the War On (some) Drugs. But don't worry, their ability to do so will not be abused, and most certainly will never be used as a pretext to harass political dissidents or to disarm large numbers of conservative gun owners under a future 'rat administration.

[coloradan]

The URL of those photos states this was a crack addict, not a meth addict.

[coloradan]

Yes, you too probably have a lot of things in your own house that could now be used as probable cause to search for a meth lab. Enjoy the WO(s)D - it's your war!

[Fiddlstix]

[Sam's Army]

Paranoia is a dead giveaway. How long you been up for?

[Lakeside]

What also goes unreported is the number of house/house trailer fires caused by meth cooking gone bad. As it says in the article the making of meth involves highly volatile stuff. Many children have burned to death because most of the time the scuzzball parents/relatives making the stuff escape in time leaving the kiddies to fend for themselves.

I'm not a big WOD fan because of some of the excesses mentioned in this and other drug threads. However, meth is and continues to be the bane of many small towns and rural areas. As many labs as the police find and shut down several more pop up to take its place.

I live in what has been regarded as the meth capitol of the South. A middle aged couple were busted in the small town near me for operating a lab in their home--in a nice subdivision.

And as for you guys who object to surveillance, it kind of gives me the willies,too. However, wouldn't you do the same if you knew there was a known sex offender living in your neighborhood but didn't know exactly where? Or would you object to the police keeping a suspected murderer or thief under their watchful eye?

I hope I'm not setting up straw men but this is a different animal altogether as opposed to pain killers or weed. This is worse (drug wise) than anything you can imagine and it needs to be eradicated.

[bondjamesbond]

Just come to my county in Washington State.

The Olympic penninsula, perhaps? My father lives on a golf course, and one of the houses there was being used as a meth lab by a nice retired couple. Apparently production meth was their retirement plan. But in a community like that, it is hard to keep a secret, and they were busted after about a year.

[Skooz]

Meth makes people really, really stupid.

As a former meth distributor/junkie, I wholeheartedly concur.

[HairOfTheDog]

Go to the link for a more detailed account of who is watching you, the meter reader for your local power company and how they determine if you are a suspect.

Meth cookers are the victims here? - And you don't think meter readers should be savvy enough to be warned and wary about what Meth labs look like?

[Guillermo]

Dude, whadda catch. Do you have her number?

[Guillermo]

She's a meth addict.

What Meth Can Do For You...

These photographs show the physical decline of a meth user over a four year period.

[Skooz]

The URL of those photos states this was a crack addict, not a meth addict.

Actually, she looks a little too good to be a meth junky. The meth heads I used to hang with would love to look THAT good. Meth is worse. Much worse.

[Eva]

Authorities are so far behind in this battle against meth labs that I doubt they will ever be able to get ahead of it. The police recently broke up three meth labs which were linked to a cross border drug ring operating out of the high school which included both students and teachers.

[Skooz]

A girl named Sherri who used to live next door when I was dealing meth. She sold it out of her home and we had a shared clientelle. Her decline was almost exactly like the woman in the pictures. She started off a very pretty blonde with an engaging and fun personality. Within two years, she was sullen, paranoid to the point of psychosis, and quite hard to look at.

[martin_fierro]

* sigh *

But the page the photos came from states that she's a meth addict.