The National Methamphetamine
Drug Conference
Clandestine Labs: Protecting the Environment and Community
Chair: Luke Galant,
U.S. Department of Justice-Bureau of Justice Assistance
Recommendations:
- Federal government should target new funds for methamphetamine lab cleanups that incorporate a cooperative effort.
- Improve federal-level coordination for training, equipment and intelligence programs.
- Increase basic awareness training for law enforcement officers in the field, especially in rural areas.
Clandestine lab abatement is not just a law enforcement response. It is a law enforcement, public health and environmental response. The governing body must bring all of the appropriate players into action. The responders must know their roles and responsibilities when they take down a laboratory. BJA has developed a training program and a resource monograph to enable jurisdictions to develop a strategy for a multi-agency response to clandestine laboratories.
First, funding must be increased. Methamphetamine is a drug that is not displacing other drugs—it is an addition to other drug problems. Cleanups of labs are extremely resource-intensive and beyond the financial capabilities of most jurisdictions (the average cost of a cleanup in California averages $3,100, but some cost $150,000). Consequently, if we divert resources from other drug problems to clandestine laboratory enforcement and cleanups, other drug problems will increase. We cannot let this happen. It was the consensus of the group that the federal government needs to target new resources to fund cooperative methamphetamine lab cleanup efforts.
Second, federal leadership must coordinate and set a training standard. Equipment and intelligence programs also must be developed. We need to conduct more baseline research and develop models that show the resources and coordination required for a successful cleanup.
Finally, there is a need for training for personal protection. Responders need to know what methamphetamine is and how it is made. They must know typical locations and the look and smell of clandestine labs. This awareness training is needed especially in rural jurisdictions as these areas are preferred by lab operators; they are not easily observed and can work anonymously.
