Q&A on Methamphetamine

Last Modified: Sunday, January 29, 2006 at 12:42 p.m.

Q: What is methamphetamine (meth)?

Meth is a highly-addictive illegal drug that affects the central nervous system. It is a white crystalline powder that dissolves in water or alcohol and can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken orally.

Q: What is a clandestine drug lab?

A: A clandestine drug lab is a homemade laboratory where a combination of chemicals, glassware, heating elements and other utensils are used to manufacture illicit drugs. These labs are found in homes, hotel rooms, motor homes, campsites and other places where people can make illegal drugs without fear of detection.

Q: Why is meth so popular?

A: The effects of the drug are long-lasting and it is relatively inexpensive to produce.

Q: How do you make meth?

A: Meth is produced using a combination of various household chemicals, including pseudoephedrine (found in cold medications). The ingredients are combined in a series of chemical processes to form methamphetamine. North Carolina launched a new law in January placing cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine behind the pharmacy counter, making it more difficult for meth cookers to buy the main ingredient.

Q: What are the ingredients and where are they purchased?

A: Most of the ingredients can be purchased from retail stores or chain drug stores. The ingredients include pseudoephedrine, red phosphorous, iodine, ether, methanol, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, lithium metal, anhydrous ammonia, acetone and sodium metal.

Some products commonly found at meth lab sites include: Red Devil lye, HEET gas line antifreeze, hydrogen peroxide, Prestone starting fluid, Coleman camping fuel, tincture of iodine, cold medicine and books of matches.

Q: Why are meth labs so dangerous?

A: People who operate clandestine drug labs are not trained chemists. They often mix chemicals that produce deadly or toxic gases. The cooking process creates a highly explosive atmosphere, which can result in a fire or explosion. The gases generated by the cooking process can cause extensive damage to the respiratory system and even cause death.

Other potential hazards include skin burns and other injuries resulting from direct contact with the ingredients or by-products found in a meth lab. People who operate meth labs are also often armed. Taking the drug can make people violent and paranoid.

Q: How much does meth sell for?

A: The street value of meth ranges from $80 to more than $100 per gram.

Q: Are the people who make meth also selling it?

A: Meth cookers typically produce enough of the drug to support their own habit and to sell some for profit. Law enforcement agencies are also fighting a growing presence of "super labs" in major metro areas. The labs produce large quantities of meth for trafficking.

Q: Where are most meth labs found?

A: Meth labs have been discovered most frequently in Western North Carolina, but are also present throughout the state.

Q: Can a dwelling or motel room that was used as a meth lab harm later occupants?

A: Yes. A site that was used as a meth lab needs to be decontaminated and cleaned up in order to be safe enough to re-inhabit.

Q: Why do meth labs pose such a danger to children?

A: Young children are not aware of the dangers that exist in a meth lab and run the risk of ingesting hazardous chemicals, spilling caustic chemicals on their skin, or inhaling toxic vapors. Children often suffer from chronic exposure, which is repeated exposure over a period of time.

This can cause permanent damage to their respiratory systems. Children found in homes where meth is made may also suffer abuse and neglect. When meth labs are busted, children have to be removed from the home and most of their belongings destroyed because of exposure to toxic chemicals.


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