To Report Suspicious Behavior - Call Meth Free Indiana Hotline, 1-877-855-Meth (6384), or contact your local law enforcement agency at 689-5555

Methamphetamine "Meth" is a dangerously powerful, addictive man made stimulant that is produced in clandestine laboratories, "Clan Labs" using common household products.

While meth is trafficked in from Mexico and the southwest United States, local production of this drug is a rapidly growing trend and is taking place in neighborhoods and communities across Indiana. Meth threatens governmental services, the environment, communities and most importantly, Indiana families.

The Indiana Meth Watch Program is designed to educate citizens and retailers about the effects of meth. To empower the communities to stop this drug from destroying our state.

If you've noticed theft or unusual purchases of products used to make meth, or are suspicious of activities in your neighborhood or workplace. You may be unwittingly contributing to the meth problem in Indiana. Participation in Meth Watch will increase your knowledge about meth and help learn what to do if you suspect a problem. This will assist in decreasing illegal drug activity in your neighborhood and community.

The Office of the Governor, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Law Enforcement, and various state and local partners encourage retailers and citizens to take part in this important initiative.

Dangers

The number of clan labs and dumpsites found each year continues to grow. The manufacturing of meth is extremely dangerous due to the volatility of the many ingredients used and toxic waste left behind. Labs can explode without warning and exposure to the chemicals can cause a myriad of problems, including burning, respiratory damage, skin irritation, and a variety of behavioral problems.

Children

Children who live in, or visit, a home where meth is manufactured or used face acute health and safety risks including injury or death from fire or explosions, poisoning or intoxication, acute long-term health problems. Children whose parents or caregivers use meth are at greater risk for physical, emotional sexual abuse or medical neglect. Children living in residences where meth is made are typically exposed to hazardous and unclean conditions. Weapons are often found at meth lab sites, creating an additional safety risk for children.

Environment

Each pound of meth manufactured creates five to six pounds of toxic waste. The cost for cleaning up one meth lab can run into the thousands of dollars. The manufacturing process contaminates carpet, appliances, furniture, clothing, drywall, insulation, plumbing and the building itself. Making it potentially toxic to the next resident or guest if not thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated. The remnants of a meth lab can be reactivated - releasing toxic fumes or exploding if the storage container is shaken or disturbed. This creates a risk to anyone who might stumble across an abandoned lab or dumpsite.

Meth Ingredients and Equipment

  • Over the counter cold, asthma, and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine ( Sudafed, Actifed, ETC. )
  • Lithium Batteries ( Camera Batteries )
  • Lantern Fuel ( Coleman fuel )
  • Denatured or rubbing alcohol
  • Ether ( Starting fluid )
  • Anhydrous Ammonia
  • Sulfuric acid ( Drain opener )
  • Muriatic acid
  • Red Phosphorus ( Matchbook striker plates )
  • Acetone
  • Toluene ( Brake Cleaner )
  • Sodium hydroxide ( Red Devil Lye )
  • Salt
  • Two - Liter pop bottles
  • Coffee Filters
  • Rubber tubing ( Aquarium tubing )
  • Glass cookware

Signs and Symptoms - Psychological Effects

  • Excessive excitation
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Panic-paranoia
  • Severe depression
  • Psychotic and violent behavior
  • Visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations
  • False sense of confidence and power
  • Compulsive cleaning and repetitively sorting and disassembling of objects.
  • Extreme wakefulness- sometimes for days, followed by long periods of sleep
  • Physical Symptoms
  • Run down appearance or frequent illnesses.
  • Decline in personal hygiene- very bad breath, rotting teeth, severe body order.
  • Unhealthy complexion.
  • Injuries or bruises with no reasonable explanation.
  • Increased respiration.
  • Welts on skin- "Meth Acne".
  • Picking and scratching at the skin.
  • Loss of appetite and severe weight loss.
  • Elevated heart rate and body temperature.
  • Insomnia, chronic fatigue or tiredness.
  • Dilated pupils.
  • Extreme sweating.

Suspicious Behavior in Your Neighborhood or Community

  • A Strong smell resembling urine or chemicals such as ether, ammonia, or acetone.
  • Little traffic, during the day, but at lot of activity at night- Especially older, trashy vehicles.
  • Boarded or covered windows
  • Residents never putting out their trash or excessive amounts of trash including meth lab materials such as camping fuel containers, coffee filters with white or red residue, chemicals, duct tape, cold tablet "blister packs".
  • Vehicles ( particularly the trunks ) loaded with chemicals containers or basic chemistry paraphernalia - glassware, rubber tubing, etc.
  • Drying grass or plants in a particular area.
  • Secretiveness

In Retail Establishments

  • Customers purchasing large quantities of products used to make meth.
  • Customers purchasing combinations of products used to make meth.
  • A group of persons coming in together, then splitting up and each purchasing meth materials, then leaving together.
  • Shoplifting of meth ingredients

What You Can Do to Assist Meth Watch in Indiana

  • Learn as much as you can about meth, other drugs, their impact on families and communities.
  • Become involved in, or stat a community anti - drug coalition.
  • Be a positive role model to youth in your community.
  • Be aware of what is happening in your neighborhood and report suspicious behavior.
  • Support retailers who are involved with meth related programs.
  • All Hoosiers have a role to play to prevent the manufacturing of meth.
  • Take time to become familiar with the products used.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of abuse, and know what your can do if you suspect its use or being manufactured.

For more information, visit http://www.methfreeindiana.org/.

To Report Suspicious Behavior - Call Meth Free Indiana Hotline, 1-877-855-Meth (6384), or contact your local law enforcement agency at 689-5555



 

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