FIRST RESPONDERS RECENTLY EDUCATED ON METH LABS

HANOVER -- Area first responders came out in droves recently for an
in-depth presentation on the dangers of clandestine (secret) drug
labs, since the use of methamphetamine and other chemical-related
drugs have surged in the area throughout the last couple of years.

Detective Sergeant Rick Hawley of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
and Clandestine Lab Investigative Response Team Co-ordinator for the
province, led the meeting in hopes to educate local first responders
such as police, firefighters and paramedics, as well as the community
at large on the dangers of chemical labs.

"(Labs) are not necessarily a problem in Grey-Bruce as of yet, but
there are problems in other parts of the province," he told The Post
during a recent interview.

"That's not to say, however, there aren't labs here, we just don't
know about them, but we do know there is a definite problem with the
use of methamphetamine in this area."

During the two-hour meeting, Hawley stressed that "meth and meth labs
are not just a police problem, but a community problem."

"The community needs to come together and help to battle the problem,"
Hawley explained.

"The message is, don't just sit back and let police deal with it. We
all need to deal with it."

He added, "Don't just walk around blindly and blissfully all the time.
Be aware and if you suspect a meth lab, look for some of the signs."

According to Hawley some signs of a neighbourhood meth lab may include
a distinct chemical odour in the air, a busy location with people
coming and going at odd hours, a quantity of stains on materials
inside the home and an excess amount of garbage and chemical
containers in and around the residence.

Hawley said clandestine labs are not only established inside homes,
but can also be encountered in sheds, barns, storage facilities,
garages and vehicles a problem, Hawley said, which police are seeing
more and more of.

"Drug labs can be mobile, they don't have to be in a house," Hawley
explained during the presentation, adding first responders have to be
careful when approaching vehicles.

According to Hawley, police began to anticipate the problem of
clandestine labs in early 2000.

"It was around 2000, 2001 that this problem came to our attention and
we started to prepare for it," said Hawley. "It makes the OPP leaders
in this type of investigation."

Nearly 130 people representing more than 20 area police, fire and
paramedic services attended the information session, a turnout Hanover
Police Services Inspector Ron Shaidle was "extremely pleased with."

"There was a broad representation there from front line responders,"
Shaidle said.

"I think it was an eye opener and extremely educational in spite of
the fact that people know there are a lot of dangers surrounding
clandestine labs. It basically told front line people hands off.'
Informationally, we probably found out more than we already knew."

Hanover Mayor Bob White was also on hand during the seminar and said
(the presentation) gave "a tremendous amount of information that could
help in saving peoples lives."

"It's terrifying to see what first responders are facing in their
careers and I hope we can somehow find a solution to this meth
problem," White said.

According to Hawley, education and awareness are two very important
elements in aiding in the decline of such drugs.

"People need to realize what meth is, what it can do to a community
and how dangerous it is to have in a community," Hawley explained.

Another important message brought to the attention of first responders
during the event was that of children living in meth labs, something
Hawley said many don't often think about.

"If there is any reason to champion a fight against meth labs, it is
to step up and protect the drug-endangered children."

"Even one lab with a kid in it isn't right. It's unacceptable," he
said.

Shaidle agreed. "The second part of the presentation that really hit
home was the risk to children," he stated. "Overall it was extremely
educational from the perspective of front line responders as to the
hazards and dangers."

If a meth lab is detected within the local community, first responders
are told to notify the OPP, and will assist when it is deemed safe.

Since the educational meeting took place, Hanover fire chief Ken
Roseborough said, "It's paid off already."

"There have been two situations regarding meth, one in Bruce County
and one in Grey," he explained. "One was very evident that a propane
tank, because of the colouring, was definitely used to carry the
chemical needed to make methamphetamine . . . so it's here,"
Roseborough said.

Roseborough said the meeting has helped, "in a sense of making people
aware of what they should be looking for."