Methamphetamine Special Projects

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, or CDLCS, Program. 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 Aug. 2010, 14,721 meth lab incidents totaling 533,981 pounds of hazardous waste, solid waste and other debris have been safely processed through the program.

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 (Clandestine Lab) 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. As an extension of this training, the 8-hour Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response for Methamphetamine Laboratories (Clandestine Lab) 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 (Clandestine Lab). 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 Material Disposal Categories	Pounds of Material Processed During January to July, Fiscal Year 2012 (FY2012)	Pounds of Material Processed During Fiscal Year 2011 (FY2011)	Pounds of Material Processed During Fiscal Year 2010 (FY2010)
Neutralized	57	397	581
Metal Reused/Recycled	396	1,367	3,382
Volatilized/Other	123	70	392
Hazardous Waste	1,239	5,621	7,109
Solid Waste	3,231	16,137	15,550
Total Materials Processed	5,046	23,592	27,014