WATCHING OUT FOR METH

Church, TRIAD Team Up To Inform Residents

As a state, Oklahoma leads the nation in the number of clandestine
methamphetamine labs reported per capita every year. Oklahoma County is the
leading county nationwide for clandestine labs.

"Do we have a problem here?" said Nancy Galloway, coordinator for TRIAD.
"Yes, we do."

Galloway helped conduct a free seminar Tuesday in Edmond titled "Is There a
Meth Lab on Your Corner."

The seminar, attended by about 20 people, was presented by the Oklahoma
County Sheriff's Department and sponsored by the women's ministry of the
Edmond Church of Christ, 801 S. Bryant. TRIAD is an organization that
brings the county sheriff's department, the local police and senior
citizens together to solve community problems.

Galloway began the program by telling residents what kinds of things to
look for if they suspect a nearby home is being used to cook methamphetamine.

Foil or black plastic over windows, high fences, exhaust fans in windows,
accumulated chemical cans in the garbage, vicious dogs, bars on windows and
doors and constant traffic in and out of the home at all hours of the day
and night all are among the signs common to meth labs, Galloway said.

But she warned workshop participants that noticing one or two of these
signs doesn't mean a nearby home is a meth lab.

"My husband works second shift, so we have foil on our windows at home to
keep it dark inside so he can sleep," Galloway said. "We don't cook meth."

Galloway told residents if they suspect someone in the neighborhood is
cooking meth they should call the police or sheriff's department, not try
to investigate or confront the individuals themselves.

But besides just calling the police, there are some other things residents
can do to help.

"If you see a lot of cars coming and going from the house, and they're only
at the house for a couple of minutes each time, we encourage you to try to
get information about the car, and if possible, a tag number," Galloway said.

She also encouraged concerned residents to keep a log of the traffic that
comes and goes from the house, including time of day, length of stay, etc.,
and turn that information over to the authorities. One of the reasons the
manufacture of methamphetamine is rapidly growing in Oklahoma is because a
small investment in chemicals and supplies can yield a large profit margin
in a short time, said Deputy Sheri Wallace.

An initial investment of $50 to $75 can produce enough meth to sell on the
street for $1,200 to $1,500, she said. And methamphetamine can be "cooked"
in as little as two hours.

Wallace gave seminar participants a brief overview of many of the
ingredients and methods used to cook methamphetamine, and explained the
dangers of being exposed to vapors from meth labs or the chemical residue
they leave behind.

For that reason, when a meth lab is raided and processed, Wallace has to
wear layers of protective clothing to protect her skin and lungs. Linda
Smith, a member of the women's ministry at the church, helped organize the
event. She also attended the seminar Tuesday.

"I thought it was great," Smith said. "I was surprised at how easily made
it is...that you can just go to the store and buy the stuff to make it."

Smith said programs like these are a good way for the church to open its
doors to the community. Other planned events to be sponsored by the women's
ministry at the church include a seminar for women on natural hormone
replacement therapy and a child car seat safety check.