LOCAL BUSINESSES WILL LEARN ABOUT METH LABS

Local businesses with methamphetamine ingredients for sale or on their
premises will soon learn about the drug and when to be suspicious of
customers buying the products used to make it.

On April 11, Taber Community Against Drugs is holding a Lunch and
Learn on items used to make methamphetamine for businesses invited.
Business owners, who have the products within their building contract,
but were not invited can Helen Wentz, co-chairperson of the group at
223-2766.

"Any businesses we believe should know about it that don't attend the
Lunch and Learn - later on we will try to get out and visit those
people," said Wentz.

Business representatives will be given posters of meth ingredients,
which they can display where customers can see them or in staff areas.

To make meth, cold remedies with ephedrine, chemical solvents and
apparatus are used. Some chemicals that can be used include brake
clearness, rubbing alcohol and iodine. Cold remedies used are common
pills containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Forms of apparatus can
include products such as aluminum foil, funnels and coffee filters.

"A lot of people sell these types of things," said Wentz. "You can buy
tin foil from just about anywhere."

She added when people are buying combinations of the ingredients or
buying the products in excess business owners should be leery.

Along with the Lunch and Learn session, members of TCAD are busy
organizing other events such as a conference being held the weekend of
Nov. 5. The group is applying for $4,000 through Health Canada to
obtain funding for the project, as money is being allocated for drug
reduction initiatives.

TCAD, which has $7,096 in donations, will use up to $3,000 of its own
money for the conference.

At the group's last meeting Kerry Milder, who heads TCAD's education
and prevention committee, advised she will look into getting Health
Minister Iris Evans to attend the conference.

"She is really big into the prevention side of everything," said Garth
Bekkering.

TCAD will also be sending out invitations to groups in other
communities working on reducing drug use and trafficking.