Clandestine labs

[layne151]

i am a criminalist in a forensic laboratory, specifically the controlled substance section. I was drug ignorent before taking this position spending the previous several years doing exploratory research with protein isolation (degree in biochemistry).
Now 4 the relevence of this post, i was wondering how many people are aware of the spreading epidemic of methamphetamine use. here in Iowa we have labs (clandestine) popping up everywhere, where this product is produced in small quantities. the reason i ask is that the seems to be somthing that has just taken off, and most people are unaware of the dangerous risks these labs pose in their communities. I am curious if this is just a problem in my state or if this problem has moved into other communities as well?

 

[palad]

I'm in Missouri, and we hear about it in the news every so often. From what I've heard, the immediate danger they pose is that the production procedure requires use of highly flammable substances combined with heat. Definitely not the road to a long life.

 

[layne151]

That is true, in some cases the manufacture process is more dangerous than the drug itself.

 

[Windogg]

I've heard about the toxic chemicals used in the process. I guess greed and high dose of stupidity leads to them risking other people's lives (their worthless lives don't count).

 

[iamwiz82]

<< i am a criminalist in a forensic laboratory >>



May i ask how you get a job like that? its sounds interesting? Do you have a Chem Engineering BS?

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

I find it strange that you are just becoming aware of the problem.I believe its been around for at least 5 years.Drug labs are moving into more rural areas because there are less people around to notice the chemical smells they emit.

 

[Silverbullet28]

I live in Evansville, IN and there is a pretty big problem with meth labs around here. I have lived in Evansville for about 3 years, it is where I am going to school, and there has been a steady increase of reports on the news over the period I have stayed here. The police are constantly finding new labs people have operated in their basement, garage, etc.

- Silver

 

[layne151]

I actually kind of fell into this job, it is a government job and the requirements are kind of scewy. I had served 3 years in the military prior to college and i actually think that gave me more &quot;points&quot; on my application than my actual job history.

 

[layne151]

I am aware that meth has been a problem for awhile; however, in the past year or so new recipes have come out that make the manufacture process much easier to perform. These new recipes and the wide availabilty of its prime ingrediant (anhydrous ammonia) is readily available in Iowa due to it's farm based economy

 

[Silverbullet28]

I never even thought about farming areas and a relationship with ingredients, I wonder if the problem is more prevalent in the midwest?

- Silver

 

[layne151]

That is why the midwest and iowa specifically are having a major problem the cooks are stealing the anhydrous from farmers who store it in large trailers. Since farmers typically leave these trailors in the fields it is rather easy to take a few gallons without them knowing it even happened.

 

[PretendHer]

I live in Kentucky where it has been said that the biggest cash crop in the state is not tobacco but marijuana. So, it was only a matter of time that the meth business take over and I believe it has.

Just this past weekend my husband's ex-wife was caught shoplifting and searched. They found some meth in her purse and she charged with possession, etc. The past few days have been hell for my husband and I as we have custody of my stepdaughter and she had to be told because it was reported in the local paper. At 14 years old, this child is ashamed and embarrassed by her mother's actions in a community where everyone knows everyone. And, although she, I and her father always suspected that her mother used drugs, there was nothing anyone could do but wait for something like this to happen.

Just this afternoon I was on my was to town to pick her up from school and got behind a truck pulling an anhydrous tank and was reminded of the situation.

Almost daily I hear of labs being found and people being busted. It seems to be everywhere around here. Recently they even discovered the stuff being made in a local bakery right in the middle of town!!

I moved back here about 6 years ago from California to get my own children away from this kind of thing and I now wonder if it IS a better area to raise them in.