Special Projects Methamphetamine

Environmental Services Program

Special Projects (Methamphetamine)

The department’s involvement in the methamphetamine laboratory crisis in Missouri began in 1997. Law enforcement agencies were being inundated with large illegal quantities of hazardous waste, chemicals and debris associated with the production of methamphetamine. At the direction of the governor the Missouri Methamphetamine Enforcement and Environmental Protection Task Force formed to address this and other issues related to the burgeoning meth problem. Numerous local, state and federal agencies and organizations banded together and, under the direction of the Special Projects Unit, created the Clandestine Drug Lab Collection Station. Local fire service and law enforcement agencies operate collection stations throughout the state with technical and financial assistance provided by the department.

The program is founded on specially designed buildings, or collection stations, that provide safe, legal and secure location where meth lab chemicals seized by law enforcement can be managed and temporarily stored pending processing and proper disposal. Seventeen collection stations are currently authorized by the department's Hazardous Waste Program to operate under the program. As of March 2012, the program safely processed 15,991 meth lab incidents totaling 558,357 pounds of hazardous waste, solid waste and other debris.

The Special Projects Unit works closely with the Missouri State Highway Patrol to sponsor a variety of specialized methamphetamine laboratory training. Included is a 40-hour Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response for Methamphetamine Laboratories in which students are certified to enter and dismantle clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. The course is delivered at the Highway Patrol's Training Academy on various dates. More than 1,000 people have been certified through this training as of February 2012.

As an extension of the methamphetamine laboratory training, the 8-hour Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response for Methamphetamine Laboratories Re-Certification is offered at Highway Patrol Troop Headquarters during the winter months. This course meets the re-certification requirements for law enforcement officers to enter and dismantle clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. Another training course offered at the Training Academy is a 24-hour Site Safety Officer for Methamphetamine Laboratories. This course is offered on a limited basis and provides individuals with responsibility of managing or development of their agency's clandestine laboratory health and safety program with more in-depth knowledge.

The Special Projects Unit also provides a variety of supplies, personal protective equipment and air monitoring equipment to law enforcement at no cost. Examples of packaging/cleanup supplies available include five gallon chemical overpack buckets, hazardous materials labels, eye wash bottles, safety goggles, safety glasses, absorbent material, pH paper, hand sanitizer, etc. Personal protective equipment includes chemical protective coveralls, boot covers, nitrile gloves, air-purifying respirators, cartridges, self-contained breathing apparatus and air cylinders. Drager pumps and tubes along with organic vapor meters and multi-gas meters have been provided to collection station operators, drug task forces and law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Send inquiries concerning supplies and equipment procurement by email or call 573-526-3349.

Methamphetamine Lab Incidents and Pounds of Material Disposed Categories	July 1, 2011 to March 3, 2012	Fiscal Year 2011	Fiscal Year 2010	Oct. 1998 to March 2012
Meth Lab Incidents	541	1,282	1,288	15,991
Neutralized*	138	658	628	22,171
Metal Reused/Recycled*	821	3,627	4,217	74,140
Volatilized/Other*	257	249	435	20,577
Hazardous Waste*	3,266	8,482	8,464	143,079
Solid Waste*	6,029	19,740	17,322	298,390
Total Materials Processed*	10,511	32,756	31,066	558,357