LOCAL POLICE HAVE TIPS FOR SPOTTING METH HOUSES

There Are Many Ways Citizens Can Assist Authorities in Stopping
Crystal Meth From Becoming a Problem.

Cpl. Brian Brown of the Lake Cowichan RCMP detachment said there are
certainly advantages small towns have over larger communities, such
as more interest in what is going on in neighbourhoods. People are
more inclined to pay attention to what their neighbours do.

Take the residents of Youbou, for instance. Last spring, with anger
over a suspected drug house in their midst, a public meeting was
organized to talk about what could be done about it. The proactive
approach, police say, actually forced the suspects to move.

"In smaller communities the impact of drug use can be more
devastating because everyone tends to know everyone," said Brown.

Crystal meth starts with a lab somewhere, most commonly in a house.
Brown said there are several indicators that a house is being used as
a crystal meth lab.

"Huge amounts of garbage often suggest there's a crystal meth lab,"
he said. "That includes lots of glass, bottles, cans, plastic containers."

Brown said some labs can be so compact that they can be put in the
truck of a car. That makes it difficult to keep track of where they are.

"We're aware of who's moving it (crystal meth). We're aware of what's
in town. We definitely have our share of it here. Any amount is too much."

Other things to look for include:

* Unusual amounts of clear glass containers.

* Unusual strong odours similar to cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone
or other chemicals.

* Odours that cause headaches or eye irritation.

* The windows may be blacked out with plastic or tinfoil.

* Renters using a property for a crystal meth lab will only pay their
landlords in cash.

* Increased traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular.

* Increased security around the building, such as surveillance
cameras and guard dogs.

If you suspect there is a crystal meth lab in your neighbourhood,
don't confront them or try to find the lab yourself. Call the police.
You can also help by monitoring and logging activities around the
suspected house.

Crystal meth is made from simple, every day household products such
as drain cleaners, paint thinner, kerosene, rubbing alcohol, starter
fluid, lye and lithium batteries.

Remember, these chemicals are toxic and explosive when combined and
heated, which makes them extremely dangerous.