FIRST RESPONDERS GET DRUG LESSON

Firefighters rush to fires, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) rush
to medical emergencies, and police rush to the scene of a crime. They
are always the first to respond. But what if the fire was started in a
drug lab? What if it was a drug dealer who had the heart attack? And
what if the scene of the crime is booby-trapped?

These are all scenarios that retired drug enforcement officer Steve
Walton wants our area first responders to take to heart. He spoke to
firefighters, EMTs, and local police on what to expect in those
situations last Tuesday in Hines Creek and Thursday in Fairview.

As a member of the Calgary Police Service, Walton was personally
involved in 900 clandestine (hidden) drug lab investigations including
300 marijuana grow operations.

"There are many first responders who may find themselves in harm's way
without knowing it," said Walton.

Marijuana grow operations are considered less criminal by some, but
that's a fallacy, said Walton, they can be some of the most dangerous
situations for first responders. They are just as likely to encounter
criminals with firearms in a marijuana grow operation and must also
consider poorly done electrical bypasses, booby-traps, and toxic vapours.

One of the most disturbing trends in recent years is the prevalence of
methamphetamine manufacturing labs. They are booby-traps in and of
themselves, said Walton, with a dangerous mix of chemicals floating
through the air that could be ignited at any moment.

"I knew most of the basics," said Fairview volunteer firefighter,
Lionel Marier, "but there were a few surprises and a few good hints."

Understanding the environment is key, Walton told the first
responders. Firefighters should have their hazardous material suits
and be prepared to deal with a metal fire, which cannot be
extinguished with water. EMTs should be prepared to treat chemical
burns and deal with pulmonary distress. And police should be prepared
to deal with meth addicts who can often be violently delirious with a
high resistance to pain.

Meth labs have been popping up around the province at unprecedentedly
high rates, partly because of the drug's low cost, addictive
qualities, and long-lasting effects. But it's also partly because of
the availability of the chemicals used to manufacture the drug, said
Walton.

To date, the United States bans or controls 144 precursor chemicals
that could be used to manufacture drugs. In contrast, Canada has only
banned a handful, said Walton.

For instance, and this is of particular concern to agricultural
regions, anhydrous ammonia is a chemical that is used by farmers on a
very regular basis, but it is also one of the main ingredients in the
'nazi-cold' method of producing meth, which can cut the production
time of the drug down from 10 hours to 2 hours.

The main thing Walton wanted the first responders to take away from
his presentation was a sense that there would be well coordinated
cooperation between the three departments if they ever encountered a
clandestine lab of any kind in the region.

"It's important for you to understand what each other's organizations
functions are," Walton told the first responders. "If you are required
to take down a clandestine lab in this region, it will be a
collaborative effort."