Methamphetamine (meth), also known as "crank," "speed," "crystal," or "ice," is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. It may be smoked, snorted, injected, or used orally. Signs of meth use include dilated pupils, sweating, dry mouth, halitosis, flushed skin and tremors.

Meth users exhibit aggressive and psychotic behavior, irritability, anxiety, paranoia, and auditory hallucinations. The user may also become a dare devil who will try anything, ie., has an exaggerated sense of self confidence while under the influence of the drug. There are many long-term effects including cardiac and neurological damage.

Manufacturing meth is extremely dangerous and involves many common household chemical products such as rubbing alcohol, brake cleaner, sulfuric acid, table or rock salt, iodine, muriatic acid, anhydrous ammonia or farm fertilizer, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, kitty litter, liquid propane, dry ice, etc.

Combining these ingredients can cause some disastrous chemical reactions. In addition to the possibilities of explosions and/or fires, damage can be caused to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys, serious burns to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.

The chemicals and fumes that permeate the walls, carpets, plaster, and wood in meth labs, as well as the surrounding soil, are known to cause cancer, permanent brain damage, and immune and respiratory system problems.

The chemical reactions can have serious ramifications for innocent bystanders, neighbors, law enforcement officials, and fire personnel. Violence between drug dealers threatens the safety and quality of life in a neighborhood. In Tucson half of our property crimes are thought to be conducted by meth users.

Environmental damage is a serious consequence of clandestine meth labs. Meth lab "cooks" leave about six pounds of hazardous, toxic waste for each pound of meth produced. Lab operators often pour leftover chemicals and by-products down household drains, wells, storm drains, and directly onto the ground.

This produces long-term hazards because the chemicals remain in the soil and groundwater for years. Clean up costs are extremely high because contaminated soil, buildings, etc., must be removed and destroyed.

What are the signs of a meth lab? Frequent visitors at all times of the day or night; occupants of a dwelling appear unemployed but seem to have plenty of cash; occupants are suspicious of others and may display odd behavior.

There may be extensive security at the home and windows are blackened or the curtains are always shut. Occupants go outside the house to smoke cigarettes, chemical odors waft from the home, garbage, or detached buildings. The meth lab "cooks" may set their garbage out for pick up in someone else's collection area. The garbage contains numerous bottles, containers, materials mentioned above. And there may be coffee filters, bed sheets, towels, etc., stained from filtering red phosphorus or other chemicals.

Common household utensils are used in a meth lab such as pyrex or corning ware, jugs, bottles, thermometer, funnels, blenders, pails, buckets, gas cans, propane cylinders, scales, lab beakers. Other products include paper towels, coffee filters, cheesecloth, rubber tubing/gloves, hot plates, plastic storage containers, and ice chests.

If you are suspicious of a neighbor, don't confront the person. Instead report it (911) to the police or law enforcement agency so that they can investigate. You can remain anonymous as a tipster, but you will have to specifically request anonymity.

The costs to society of this horrendous habit include death, injury, and illness resulting from the meth use and the manufacture of meth. Contaminated buildings, poisoned soil, water, and air from toxic elements and by-products, not to mention property damage, are other consequences. Increased costs for additional law enforcement and social services and increased medical costs and emergency room use for meth users are additional financial drains on society.

Meth use also contributes to domestic violence, child abuse, automobile accidents, and the spread of infectious diseases since meth is typically injected.

It is important that we educate ourselves and our children on this scourge because prevention is most important. Brochures on Methamphetamine are available at City offices including Ward 2. Take some to your next neighborhood meeting.