OFFICIALS FOCUS ON SPREAD OF METH LABS

Drug Problem Growing in Tier, Participants Told

BINGHAMTON -- Officials from eight counties gathered Tuesday in Binghamton
to learn about clandestine drug labs and how to deal with them safely.

Methamphetamine laboratories are on the upswing in the Southern Tier,
Matthew Matney of the Division of Criminal Justice Services told the 82
participants.

The group included police, fire, health and environmental officials from 33
agencies.

Why?

"It's cheap. It's easy to make, and it is the most addictive of any drug on
the market today," said William H. Standinger III, an investigator with the
New York State Police from Owego.

How easy?

"If you can make a loaf of bread, you can make meth. You can get all the
ingredients except one at any discount store," he said.

About $600 in chemicals could give a person $2,000 of finished product,
speakers said.

During the first four months of 2003, state meth lab incidents numbered 23,
or 50 percent of the record 2002 high.

"We predict the numbers will reach at least 86 this year," Standinger said.

Tioga County is labeled the Clandestine Lab Capital of New York State,
having led the state in lab busts in 2002, he said.

Otsego County was second.

Broome County isn't exempt. "We had one in the Town of Maine this year and
a couple last year. They are starting to increase," sheriff's Detective
Sgt. Michael Fedish said.

Where are they?

Operations at one time hidden in primarily rural areas are now moving into
urban neighborhoods.

"In the old days meth labs looked like Frankenstein's home. Today they look
more just like a dirty kitchen," Standinger said.

Labs can be found in apartments, houses, motel rooms, houseboats, sheds,
garages, storage facilities and vehicles.

"It is a problem. It's going to be a bigger problem," he said. "It is going
to get worse, and it won't go away."