LEARN TO DETECT METH LABS

Your nose and a little common sense can go a long way in helping the RCMP
find and shut down methamphetamine labs.

The two biggest indicators there may be a meth lab in your neighbourhood are
strong acidic smells, part of the cooking process.

"The majority of cooks do it at night," said Sanderson.

Another indicator is increasing totals of garbage on or near the residence,
said Sgt. Ian Sanderson of the RCMP's Drug Awareness Service-Red Deer North.

When it comes to waste piles, a tip-off to a possible meth lab includes an
unusual number of of discarded coffee filters, rock salt materials and bed
sheets, which are often stained with a red-pasty substance.

Meth super labs are mostly located in the larger urban centres, but movement
of these labs to smaller centres is a distinct possibility, Sanderson said.

"When the heat is on they tend to move to the rural areas."

Despite this possibility, Sanderson said police haven't noticed more meth
labs in rural areas at this time.

Possible meth labs often have a lot of visitors and traffic at various times
throughout the day.

In larger rural centres, the theft of quantities of anhydrous ammonia from
farms has been reported. The substance is used in meth production. Rural
crime watch groups in the area have been advised to watch for strangers
hanging around farm buildings, said Sanderson.

Theft of meth materials is something his section is constantly monitoring.

"We're trying to get a snapshot of what that situation is," said Sanderson.

The best way to protect yourself from theft is to get lock boxes installed
on all storage tanks, as this is often enough to discourage thieves, he
said.

Meth, as opposed to other drugs, is cheap and gives a longer lasting high
that other illicit materials -- between 12 and 16 hours, compared to
cocaine, which is two to three hours.

Unlike other drugs, meth is highly addictive and can hook a person after the
first or second hit.