CANTON SEMINAR WILL FOCUS ON HAZARDS OF METH LABS, INCLUDING EXPLOSIONS

CANTON - Methamphetamine users harm more than themselves. First
responders can end up dealing with the highly toxic and flammable
byproducts of the drug.

Canton College of Technology will host an awareness seminar Wednesday
to help reduce the risk to north county emergency medical technicians,
firefighters, officers and the public.

"It's what to look for as a first responder," said Martin J. Hassett,
director of Canton Tech's Emergency Management Training Center of
Northern New York. "If you go in and see this stuff laying around, you
better be aware."

While ingesting the fumes from so-called meth lab is enough to be
fatal, the drug is made using various household chemicals and fuels
that are explosive.

State police Sgt. Dana Paduano, a covert drug lab and operations
expert, will talk to a group of about 62 at the event. Mr. Hassett is
expecting emergency personal from across the area and even a few lay
people.

"It's an awareness thing and it's personal safety," Mr. Hassett said.
"If we don't protect our selves, we're a part of the problem. It's the
same as if you drive to fast to an emergency scene an get into an
accident - you become a part of the problem."

The Massena police department had an in house session on the danger of
meth labs earlier this year, Chief Timmy J. Currier said.

"Because of the increase statewide, particularly in Jefferson County,
it would be foolish to think that there are not meth labs in St.
Lawrence," Mr. Currier said. "The key with this education is to
instruct the average officer to identify a meth lab so the proper
agency can be contacted."

In recent years, Jefferson County has seen a huge growth in illegal
meth production and ranks among the top counties in the state in
numbers of labs found.

Those planning to attend the seminar from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in
Payson Hall's room 212 are encouraged to call 386-7049. Mr. Hassett
plans another daytime seminar in the future.