Series: Part 2 Of 3

METHAMPHETAMINE - MAKING THE DRUG

Oceana County was first introduced to methamphetamine labs in August
2002 when one was discovered in the Lake Tahoe area and later that
month two men were arrested after attempting to "cook" some meth at
the Bass Lake outlet north of Pentwater. Components from a third lab
were found in Ferry Township in 2003.

Methamphetamine is made by stripping away unwanted ingredients in
cold and sinus medicine to get to the ephedrine. Chemicals used
include anhydrous ammonia, gas line antifreeze, and ether.

"There's hundreds of items that can be used," Oceana County Sheriff's
Detective Tim Priese said as he declined to go into specifics on how
the drug is made.

When used as intended, the chemicals do not pose any health risks,
but once mixed together they create a dangerous soup.

"It's relatively easy to do," said Dr. Paul Wagner of Hart Family
Medical. "That's the problem."

The primary way methamphetamine is made is by using anhydrous
ammonia. Priese said users will bleed ammonia from large storage
tanks into smaller propane cylinders so the farm fertilizer can be
easily transported.

According to Priese, the hierarchy in the meth drug world is more of
a circle than a pyramid. One person will know how to "cook" the drug.
To avoid suspicion, users will go out and collect components
individually, and hook up later to start the process. Most is for
personal use, but some will be sold. Priese said the cost runs about
the same as cocaine- $100 a gram.

The dangers in manufacturing begin as the different chemicals are
mixed, giving off a harmful and odorous gas that can be flammable or
explosive. That's why many users choose to "cook" their drug in
outdoor areas so the wind can carry away odors.

"These are very dangerous, not only for the people making meth, but
the people near it," Priese said.

According to Sonja Siewert, a Phd. chemistry professor at West Shore
Community College, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric (battery) acid, sodium
hydroxide (lye) and toxic chemicals such as methanol and ether are
used in manufacturing are left behind. Carcinogens include benzene
and methylene chloride, and anhydrous ammonia.

"There's a lot of acids, and those can be very corrosive and damaging
to the lungs," Siewert said. "It's (anhydrous ammonia) very toxic to
inhale. Some residues left behind by the reactants and the
by-products are the dangerous parts and the meth also is not good.
I've never run a meth lab, and I never want to."

Priese said the nauseous gas takes the oxygen from the lungs and can
cause the lungs to collapse. The mix also produces hazardous
by-products which are dumped into plastic pop bottles and pitched in
the woods, along roadsides where anyone can pick them up. Bruce
Vanderhoof of Choices West Counseling in Hart said he recently saw a
television commercial, asking hunters to contact authorities if they
happen to smell any chemical odors.

Once meth is discovered, hazardous materials teams have to be
contacted to remove the products, making clean-up expensive. Oceana
County Sheriff's Lt. Buzz Angell said deputies have hazardous
materials training, but are instructed not to touch a meth lab if
they come across one. The sheriff's department becomes responsible
for costs if they disturb the lab.

Another concern is there currently are no state environmental
clean-up standards, said District 10 Heath Departement Envirnomental
Health Director Tom Reichard. The health department's role, he said,
is to make sure the residence is clean of any residual contaimination
so it is safe to reoccupy.

"I would say three years ago meth wasn't really on our radar screens
as our concerns," Reichard said. "It is not becoming that uncommon to
find meth labs."

Of the three-county State Sheriffs Chiefs Enforcement Narcotic Team
(SSCENT) area, the drug is most dominant in Oceana County, Priese said.

"We have it," Priese said. "The people that we've known that were
making meth, they're very transient and move around."

Detecting A Meth Lab

Methamphetamine labs will emit strong chemical odors, says Oceana
County Sheriff's Detective Tim Priese.

The labs will have an ether, alcohol or acetone smell and there will
be container presence such 2-liter pop bottles and discarded portable
propane tanks. Burning barrels that have a chemical smell is another sign.

More permanent labs will have windows blacked out and will emit a
chemical smell. Sometimes meth "cooks" will install vent systems.
Debris will include empty supply containers, and coffee filters with red stains.