Check it Out: • 1 LB of METH = 5 LBS of   TOXIC WASTE • In 2004 alone, there were more   than 10,000 meth lab cleanups   at a cost of $18.6 million (Source: DEA, NIDA, NIH, USDHHS)

Other Drug Information: Alcohol Cocaine Ecstasy Fentanyl Hallucinogens Heroin Inhalants LSD Marijuana Prescription Drugs Steroids

The Many Faces of Meth: Before After

(Source: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office - Faces of Meth™)

Canadian Retailers Report Suspicious Purchases of Meth Materials

The Richmond Safe Communities Alliance in British Columbia, Canada, is engaging retailers of local pharmacies, drug stores and grocery outlets to report to the police any suspicious purchases of materials used to manufacture methamphetamine in home-based labs, the Richmond Review reported on February 4.

The Meth Watch initiative, to be launched this week, asks Richmond community members to be on the lookout for abnormally large purchases, not only of products containing pseudephedrine and ephedrine, but also of such items as rubbing and isopropyl alcohol, iodine, lithium batteries, paint thinner, coffee filters, propane tanks, acetone, starter fluid, drain cleaner, rock or table salt, lye matchbooks, camping fuel and gasoline additives.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has established a Chemical Diversion Hotline, which community members can contact to report suspicious transactions.

Following a community information session and the program's official launch, trained volunteers will recruit participants in the program by visiting over 250 stores selling products that can be used to make meth. Merchants can participate by hanging Meth Watch signs in their stores and using a web portal designed to train employees to detect suspicious purchases.

Retailers can also discourage improper purchases by placing certain products strategically or limiting the amount stocked on shelves.

"Of course, we don't encourage any of the employees at the retail businesses to try to stop someone from purchasing [these products]," said Christa Mullaly of Richmond Addiction Services. "That's where we're going to see legislation come down from some other level that really does put regulation and restriction on how people can purchase."