POLICE INSTRUCT RETAILERS ON METH PURCHASES

Retailers in Shelburne who carry the household items used to create
the drug methamphetamine (meth) are being asked by Shelburne police
to become proactive and join a meth-watch program, the first of its
kind in Dufferin County.

Under the new program, retail staff are trained to identify
suspicious purchases and the tell-tale signs of methusers and
contact the police if they see anything suspicious.

"We aren't asking you to intervene," says Sgt. Anthony Kilburn. "But
just be on the lookout and notify the police."

Products targeted by meth-cookers (those who produce the drug) are
common household items such as over-the-counter cough and cold
allergy medicine, acetone, rubbing alcohol, iodine, starter fluid,
gas additives, drain cleaner, lithium batteries, rock salt,
matchbooks, lye, paint thinner, aluminum foil, glassware, coffee
filters and propane tanks.

Under the meth-watch program it's not the items that are suspect,
it's the quantity of items as well as the purchaser.

"We want retailers to be on the lookout for things that appear out
of place." Constable Mark Bennett said. "Obviously these are normal
household items, but we need to identify suspect patterns."

According to Sgt. Kilburn, meth is highly addictive, with 96 per
cent of first-time users and 99 per cent of second-time users
becoming addicted, and their appearance usually gives them away.
Meth users often become the cookers because they need a way to
support the habit and addicts are easily identified because
of their appearance.

According to the program material, methusers are paranoid, with
shifty shaky eyes, scabs and sores, from constant scratching and
picking the skin (a drug-induced paranoia), the teeth are badly
discoloured and the person can also be sweating
extremely, producing foul body odor.

"These people normally look pretty rough, like they haven't showered
for days." said Sgt. Kilburn.

Shelburne police became aware of meth in June this year, when
evidence of a meth lab was uncovered in town.

"This drug is a problem and it's dangerous," said Cst. Bennett.
"Because of the products used, meth labs blow up easily and it
doesn't take much to set one up."

Under the meth watch program, retailers whose staff are trained on
the warning signs will display logos on listed products and take
additional security by stocking the desired items in a place that
can be monitored.

"Meth-watch provides the tools to reduce the supply of the items
needed to cook the drug." said Sgt. Kilburn.