POLICE HOST METH LAB FORUM

Somewhere in the Capital Region, someone regularly mixes a toxic stew of
chemicals to make an addictive illegal drug. It's not a matter of "if" but
"where," says Victoria police const. Brad Fraser.

Three years ago, police raised the alarm about the spread of crystal
methamphetamine. Now, as use increases, police are certain there are
clandestine labs producing crystal methamphetamine in Greater Victoria.

They just don't necessarily know where they are.

One of the most challenging aspects of crystal meth is the ease of
creation: almost anyone with access to the Internet can readily find a
"recipe" to create the drug in less than an hour or two hours, "depending
on the recipe, the skill level and comfort level (one) may have mixing
chemicals" Fraser asserts.

Drug stores and pharmacies carry many of the constituent materials.

"We hear from retailers that these chemicals are being purchased in large
amounts by people that would not normally purchase them," Fraser says.

Some retailers report regular theft of the basic ingredients as well, he added.

"Are we fooling ourselves by thinking that they're mot in existence? No,"
he says.

The Victoria police will host a special free forum today (Nov. 30) for
homeowners interested in finding out more about meth labs and how to detect
them.

The event, hosted by the Esquimalt-Victoria Block Watch, will provide
homeowners with some of the tell-tale signs of a meth lab (or, for that
matter, many other clandestine drug creation systems), "how it's packaged,
and how it is delivered into the community" Fraser says.

The presentation will look at how municipal bylaws deal with meth labs
along with an overview of provincial and federal strategies.

"I might even talk about - if you're buying a new home - what to look for,"
Fraser adds. "I'll cover a lot of material."

Fraser used to work with the drug unit of the Victoria police.

Two or three years ago, police first noticed the influx of meth.

"Five years ago, it surfaced. Now, very rapidly, it's becoming a prevalent
drug in Greater Victoria. You'll find it in Victoria, you'll find it in
Esquimalt, you'll find it in Oak Bay."

Anecdotally, Fraser would rank crystal meth as the third most popular drug
in the Capital Region after marijuana and cocaine. And as demand increases,
so must production.

It's a serious issue, he reiterated, given that the creation of crystal
methamphetamine results in toxic byproducts amounting to anywhere from five
to seven times the mass of the drug produced.

One creation method produces two toxic - potentially fatal - gases.

Regardless of the "recipe" used, people "cooking" the drug expose
themselves to a host of toxic substances. In fact, first responders and
hospital emergency workers consider a meth lab "cook" as "a walking
hazardous waste site" says Fraser.

The meth lab information session runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the council
chambers of Esquimalt municipal hall, 1231 Esquimalt Rd.