Community Safety and Crime Prevention

Drug Awareness - Methamphetamine (Meth)

The drug called Methamphetamine, Meth, or Crystal Meth is produced in clandestine (secret/illegal) laboratories. Meth is made from an assortment of easily obtained household chemicals, is highly toxic and very harmful to both people and the environment.

Clan labs are extremely dangerous and personnel who enter a contaminated building should be equipped with the necessary protective clothing and equipment. Police ask that you report any suspicious residence, building or activity to your local law enforcement agency immediately.

Delta Police follows up every report we receive about suspicious drug activity. Please call Delta Police at 604.946.4411, your local law enforcement agency, or Crimestoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.  Warning: For your safety, do not approach anyone involved or put yourself in a compromising situation.

How to spot a clan lab

Common indicators:

• Unusual odors, strong chemical smells
• Excessive trash, including large amounts of cleaners and chemicals
• Discarded household equipment, such as:
  • glass baking dishes
  • funnels
  • coffee filters
  • measuring cups
  • rubber gloves
  • strainers
• Numerous jars and bottles and bottles with protruding tubing
• Jars that have any of the following on the bottom/inside:
  • white colored solids
  • shiny metallic crystals
  • fine red or purple powder
• Cold tablet containers
• A large number of cans of camp fuel, paint thinner, acetone, lye or drain cleaners that contain sulfuric acid
• Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue
• Lithium batteries, especially ones that have been stripped
• People coming and going at unusual times or the residence seems vacant
• Windows blackened out or curtains always drawn

Chemicals that are known to be used in the manufacture of Meth:

• Methanol
• Ephedrine (cold and allergy medicine)
• Pseudoephedrine
• Ether
• Lithium
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Red Phosphorus
• Iodine
• Kerosine/Gasoline/Campfire Fuel
• Butyl Alcohol
• Methylene Chloride
• Acetone
• Paint thinner
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Formic Acid
• Sulphuric Acid
• Chloroform
• Toluene

Physical effects/signs of a Meth user:

• Significant weight loss
• Unusual stamina, staying awake for days
• Mood slumps
• Paranoid behavior
• Dental decay
• Skin lesions
• Dilated pupils
• Sweating and increased body temperature
• Bizarre/aggressive behavior
• Psychosis

DPD Presentations

• Methamphetamine, The New Epidemic (2.15MB)
  A presentation by the School Liaison team to Delta high school students explaining what meth is, what it does, how it is used, how it is made, effects on the human body and signs of a user

Community Resources

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