Public Health Impact: The Cost of Methamphetamine

The Environmental and Social Effects of Clandestine Meth Labs

Caroline Hawkins RN, PhD StudentWalden University

PUBH 8165-10 Environmental HealthDr. Howard Rubin

Spring Quarter, 2011

Learning Objectives• Environmental impact• Public health impact• Community issues• Importance to:

– Public health officials – Law enforcement – 1st responders

• The costs

Photos courtesy of Drug Enforcement Agency [DEA], n.d.b; Meth-Kills.org, n.d.

Impact of MA on the Environment• Hazardous chemicals• Chemicals combinations

– Toxic/explosive potential

Photo courtesy of DEC Riverside County, CA, n.d.

Chemicals Used in a Typical Meth Lab

• Common Ingredients:– Starting fluid (ether) – Paint thinner – Freon – Acetone – Anhydrous ammonia – Iodine crystals – Red phosphorous – Brake cleaner (toluene) – Drain cleaner (sodium hydroxide) – Battery acid (sulfuric acid) – Reactive metals (sodium or lithium) – Cold tablets containing pseudoephedrine

DEA, n.d.a; Photo courtesy of Oregon State Police Drug Enforcement Section, 2007

Acetone• Flammable• Irritant

– eyes– skin– mucous membranes– gastric

• Coma

NDIC, 2006; Terra Industries, Inc., 2008; Photo courtesy of University of Melbourne, 2005

Freon• Corrosive • Inhalation exposure

– Cardiac arrest– Lung damage

Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, RCRA, 2011

Anhydrous Ammonia• Colorless gas• Odorous fumes

• Toxic• Burns • Inhalation edema• Pulmonary edema• Life-threatening

NDIC, 2006; Terra Industries, Inc., 2008; Photo courtesy of Nometh.org, n.d.

Sodium Hydroxide• Corrosive• Irritant

– Inhalation– Ingestion– Skin – Eyes

• Severe burns– Thermal – Chemical– Pulmonary edema

DEA, n.d.b; NDIC, 2006; Photo courtesy of California Department of Toxic Substances Control, 2007

Meth Cleanup and Disposal of By-products

• Environmental hazards– Contaminate property– Water supplies, farmland, vegetation

• Unusable• Tree kills• Cattle deaths

DEA, n.d.a; Gonzales, Mooney, & Rawson, 2008; NDIC, 2006; Photo courtesy of Medfels (n.d.).

Meth Cleanup and Disposal of By-products

• By-products dumped– Long-term effects– Valueless property – Homes abandoned– Agricultural areas

DEA, (2003); Photos courtesy of Boulder Co., 2011; King County, Washington, 2011

Community Impact of Meth • Acute exposure risks

CDC (2005); Hunt (2006); Photos courtesy of DEC Riverside County, CA, n.d.; NoMeth.org (n.d.)

Community Effects of Meth • Flash fires• Explosions

CDC, 2005; Photo courtesy of Nometh.org, n.d.

Community Effects of Meth • Meth Homes Searched

CDC, 2005; Photos courtesy of OregonLive.com, 2004

Community Effects of Meth • Youngest victims

– Dad offender/child abuser– Between 2000-2005

• 15,000 children affected

Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning, n.d.; Grant, 2007; NewsHerald.com, 2009. Photos courtesy of NewsHerald.com, 2009

Community Effects of Meth • National reporting data • Regional data

– Minneapolis (up 243%)– New Orleans (up 194%)– St Louis (up 97%)– Atlanta (up 67%)

• Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) system in 2003

Photos courtesy of DEA, n.d.a; Riverside Co., CA, n.d.

Public Health Impact• MA use increase

– Nationwide• 2% in 1994 • 5% in 2004

– 2009 incidence rates • 24%• 10.5%• 577% of MA seizures

– Worldwide• Second only to marijuana • 35 million people

DEA, n.d.; EPA, 2006; Photos courtesy of NoMeth.org, n.d.; University of Utah, 2011

Public Health Impact• Emergency room visits

– Overdose– Burns– Pulmonary damage– Cardiac problems– Toxicity exposures

• 2003 incidence rates– 35% of States– 10% of admissions

California Department of Toxic Substances, 2007; Hunt, 2006; NDIC, 2006; Photos courtesy of Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 2011; National Geographic, 2011

Public Health Impact• Children vulnerable • Health/safety outcomes

– Chemical exposure– Physical/sexual abuse– Neglect– Developmental delays– Mental/behavioral problems

• 80% test positive

McGuinness & Pollack, 2008; Photos courtesy of Meth-kills.org; Parentsstopmeth.org, n.d.

Public Health Impact• Economic costs

– $23.4 billion in 2005• Morbidity and mortality • Criminal justice/social welfare• Productivity/quality of life• Social harm• Crime/violence

Center for Substance Abuse Research [CESAR], 2009

Law Enforcement• Unique and serious problems

– Search warrants– 1996-1999

• 112 MA events• 55 (69.6%) injuries

– 2002 to 2003• Air emissions• Fires• Explosions

CDC, 2000; DEA, 2000; Hunt, 2006; Photo courtesy of Parentsstopmeth.org, n.d.

Law Enforcement• Lab detection

– Clandestine placement – Resources limited– Close-knit system– Transactions outdoors– Problematic surveillance

Hunt, 2006. Photos courtesy of DEA, n.d.b.; Inform.com, 2011

First Responders• Greater risk• Specialized training

– Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)– Hospital employees

CDC, 2000; Hunt, 2006. Photos courtesy of Inform.com, 2011

First Responders• Hazmat suits

– Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES)

• 112 events• 155 injuries • 79 (51.0%) first responders• Nine (11.4%) EMTs• Eight (10.1%) firefighters• Seven (8.9%) hospital employees

CDC, 2000; Hunt, 2006. Photos courtesy of Inform.com, 2011

Major Public Health Challenges• United States

– Demographic profile shift• Men and women• Latinos• Native Americans/Alaskan Natives• Asian/Pacific Islanders• Offender populations

Gonzales, Mooney, & Rawson; Photos courtesy of DEA, n.d.c

Major Public Health Challenges• Ancillary costs

– Overtime salaries– Specialized training– Criminal justice – Medical

DEA, n.d.a; Photos courtesy of National Geographic, 2011

Public Health Impact: The Cost of MethamphetamineThank You For Your Attention

Photos courtesy of Meth-Kills.org, 2010; Boulder County Sheriff’s Department, 2011; Parentsstopmeth.org, n.d.; kued.org, 2011; Riverside County, CA, n.d.

ReferencesAtlanta Journal and Constitution. (2011). No more funds for meth lab cleanups. Retrieved from

http://www.ajc.com/news/no-more-funds-for-864764.html

Boulder County. (2011). Meth lab photo gallery. Retrieved from http://www.bouldercounty.org/live/environment/air/pages/methlabphotogallery.aspx

California Department of Toxic Substances Control. (2007). Methamphetamine drug lab cleanup program. Retrieved from http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/sitecleanup/erp/clan_labs.cfm

Center for Substance Abuse Research, University of Maryland, College Park. (2009). Methamphetamine cost society and estimated $23.4 billion in 2005. Retrieved from http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/cesarfax/vol18/18-16.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005). Guideline Acute public health consequences of methamphetamine laboratories-16 states, January 2000-June 2004. (MMWR Publications No. RR-16). Atlanta, GA. Retrieved http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4945a1.htm

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, RCRA. (2011). Compliance assistance: Waste Management. Retrieved from http://www.rcra101.org/index.html

Gonzales, R., Mooney, L., & Rawson, R. (2010). The methamphetamine problem in the United States. Annual Review of Public Health, 31385-398. Retrieved from http://cv8yh9th3f.search.serialssolutions.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/?genre=article&issn=01637525&title=Annual+Review+of+Public+Health&volume=31&issue=1&date=20100401&atitle=The+Methamphetamine+Problem+in+the+United+States.&spage=385&pages=385-398&sid=EBSCO:Academic+Search+Complete&aulast=Gonzales%2c+Rachel

Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning. (n.d.). Multi-Agency Partnerships: Linking Drugs with Child Endangerment, Sacramento, CA. Retrieved from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/bulletins/children/pg5.html

Grant, P. (2007). Evaluation of children removed from a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory. Journal Of Emergency Nursing, 33(1), 31-41. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6WJ5-4MWPRMN-9-C&_cdi=6869&_user=7754736&_pii=S0099176706007525&_origin=gateway&_coverDate=02%2F28%2F2007&_sk=999669998&view=c&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkWb&md5=acca41ce8fa4a8e807c0a401f27c58cb&ie=/sdarticle.pdf

Hunt, D. E. (2006). Methamphetamine abuse: Challenges for law enforcement and communities. National Institute of Justice Journal, 254, 28-31. Retrieved from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/jr000254.pdf

Inform.com. (2011). Meth lab fire. Retrieved from http://inform.com/world/meth-lab-fire-2219533p

ReferencesMcGuinness, T. M., & Pollack, D. (2008). Parental methamphetamine abuse and children. Journal of Pediatric Health

Care, 22(3), 152-158. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6WKK-4S02D6Y-1-1&_cdi=6909&_user=7754736&_pii=S0891524507001393&_origin=gateway&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2008&_sk=999779996&view=c&wchp=dGLzVzz-zSkzV&md5=282a5f3d8f62342cd1613f2ef9389a46&ie=/sdarticle.pdf

Meth Education for Elementary Schools. (n.d.). Meth & health. Retrieved from http://www5.semo.edu/criminal/medfels/Meth%20&%20Health.htm

Meth-Kills.org. (2010). Photos. Retrieved from http://meth-kills.org/

National Drug Intelligence Center. (2006). Methamphetamine laboratory identification and hazards fast facts. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs7/7341/index.htm#signs

National Geographic. (2011). Drugs Inc.: Meth. Retrieved from http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/drugs-inc/4657/Photos#tab-Photos/0

NewsHerald.com. (2009). The path this scumbag took. Retrieved from http://www.newsherald.com/articles/meth-76890-captured-panama.html

NoMeth.org. (n.d.). Consequences of meth to children. Retrieved from http://nometh.org/children.html

Oregonlive.com. (2004). Children of meth. Retrieved from http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/olive/view_gallery.ata?g_id=4087

Oregon State Police, Drug Enforcement Section. (2007). Meth in your neighborhood? Retrieved from http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/DES/Meth_Neighborhood.shtml

Parentsstopmeth.org. (n.d.). Children of methamphetamine. Retrieved from http://www.parentsstopmeth.org/meth_orphans.htm

Riverside County, California, Drug Endangered Children Program. (n.d.). Photos. Retrieved from http://dec.riversidesheriff.org/misc/photos.htm

Terra Industries, Inc. (2008). Anhydrous ammonia. Retrieved from http://www.tet-terra.com/downloads/anhydrous_ammonia.pdf

References

University of Utah. (2011). Aftermath of meth. Retrieved from http://www.kued.org/?area=pressReleases&action=details&id=MzQ

University of Melbourne. (2005). Acetone. Retrieved from http://safety.chemistry.unimelb.edu.au/labels.php

U. S. Department of Justice. (2006). Methamphetamine abuse: Challenges for law enforcement and communities. Retrieved from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/jr000254.pdf

U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2000). News from DEA: Congressional testimony. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/cngrtest/ct042400.htm

U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2003). Facing the methamphetamine problem in the America (Congressional Testimony). Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/cngrtest/ct071803.htm

U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.a). Environmental impacts of methamphetamine. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/meth_environment.html

U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.b). Methamphetamine. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/dea/images_methamphetamine.html

U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.c). Methamphetamine lab incident, 2004-2010. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/map_lab_seizures.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). Methamphetamine: Threatening the health and environment of Tribal communities. Tribal Waste Journal, 6, 1-20. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/wastes/wycd/tribal/pdftxt/twj-6.pdf

Additional ResourcesD.A.R.E. (1996). Methamphetamine. Retrieved from

http://www.dare.org/home/DrugInformation/Story3a64.asp?N=DrugInformation&M=11&S=25 Mothers Against Meth. (2011). Methamphetamine: The most addictive drug on the planet. Retrieved from

http://www.mamasite.net/index.php National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). NISA info facts: Methamphetamine. Retrieved from

http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/methamphetamine.html Office of Drug Policy, Michigan Departmetn of Community Health. (2003). Formula for disaster: Methamphetamine.

Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/June03MethPR_JacksonCounty_67434_7.pdf OregonLive.com. (1999). Children of meth. Retrieved from

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/olive/view_gallery.ata?g_id=4087