METH EFFECTS:
"I was 13 the first time I put a needle in my arm. I was addicted from that moment on. Every time I did a hit I would hope that I got enough dope in my rig to make my heart stop...that's the high every junkie looks for."
Female Age 26,
Boise, Idaho
THE ENVIRONMENT
For every pound of Meth produced, approximately five pounds of toxic waste are generated. This waste may include corrosive liquids, acid vapors, heavy metals, solvents, and other harmful materials. Because of the illicit nature of Meth production, waste is often dumped haphazardly, contaminating watersheds used by humans and animals. When Meth is being cooked in a lab, the vapors produced permeate every porous surface in the building, often making them uninhabitable. These vapors can also be highly volatile, sometimes leading to explosions that can severely burn or kill those nearby.
To avoid detection, those cooking Meth will often use mobile labs that can be set up outdoors. In recent years, abandoned labs have been discovered in rural Idaho communities, recreational vehicles, and recreational areas.
The toxic nature of these sites requires specialized clean-up techniques that are administered by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. These costs frequently run thousands of dollars per incident, requiring funds that come out of the already-tight budgets of local law enforcement or property owners.