METH LABS ON DECLINE, BUT STILL DANGEROUS

At seminar, authorities warn officers about hazards at crime
scenes.

HORSEHEADS - The prevalence of methamphetamine labs is on the
decline in our area, but they still represent a substantial threat,
local law enforcement officials say.

One of the biggest dangers is to officers who stumble onto meth labs
during other investigations.

For that reason, the Chemung County Sheriff's Office sponsored a
methamphetamine investigation seminar Wednesday at Holiday Inn Express.

More than 70 law enforcement officers were on hand for the seminar,
representing local police agencies, county sheriff's departments from
New York and Pennsylvania, county probation departments, New York
state environmental conservation police and state park police.

It takes a specially trained officer to handle a scene where meth is
being manufactured, and such facilities are often discovered by
accident, sometimes by officers who don't have that background, said
Lt. Shawn Holley of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office.

"Meth and meth labs are something we need more training and education
on. Once an officer finds a lab, they have to know what to do and who
to call," Holley said. "There are a lot of hazards. They aren't as
common they used to be, but when you find one, it's a lot of trouble.

"Sometimes a patrol officer could go to a domestic call and the woman
would say, 'I'm mad at my husband. He's got a lab in the back.' That
happens," Holley said.

Wednesday's seminar was sponsored through the Operation RAM (Rid Area
of Meth) program of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office.

A common misconception is that the biggest danger from meth labs is
the risk of fire or explosion, said Scott Adams, clandestine lab
coordinator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

"For first responders, the No. 1 danger is inhalation of chemical
fumes and vapors. There's a lot of talk about the potential for fires
or explosions, but that's rare," said Adams, one of Wednesday's
seminar presenters.

"We recommend -- don't touch anything; get people out of the
building, good guys or bad; secure the scene; and then call people
who deal in (clandestine) labs," Adams said. "There are a lot of
resources out there. It's a matter of people knowing who to call."

Since 1999, Tioga County has led New York state with 39 clandestine
meth labs found, while Chemung County is fourth with 28, according to
the DEA. There were 73 lab seizures or incidents reported statewide
in 2003, but only 16 last year.

That reflects a nationwide trend that has seen a decrease in
clandestine lab activity since the passage of a new federal law that
makes it easier to restrict the sale of ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine, raw materials needed to manufacture methamphetamine,
Adams said.

That doesn't mean the problem is going away, he cautioned.

"We're seeing an increase in the importation of meth, especially from
Mexico," Adams said. "It's mostly in the Southwest, but little by
little, we're seeing more imported meth coming into the Northeast. So
we're seeing more imported stuff for sure."