Sallisaw Police Sgt. Jeff Murray shows chemicals used in the manufacturing of methamphetamines to a group of about 25 law enforcement officers Thursday. From the left are Sallisaw Police Lt. John Owens, Officer Billy Oliver, Rodney Copeland, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper, lake division, and Sallisaw Police Sgt. Houston Murray.
Courtney Coble • TIMES
“Methamphetamine cooks are finding newer, quicker and easier ways to manufacture the highly intoxicating chemical drug,” Sallisaw Police Chief Shaloa Edwards said.
On Tuesday and Thursday an eight-hour “Lab Recognition” continuing education training was offered by the Sallisaw Police Department for law enforcement officers.
Over 50 law enforcement officers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Sallisaw Police Department, District 27 Drug Task Force, Vian Police Department; and Sequoyah County Sheriff Department, and NOW Coalition prevention specialist, Sharon Day and Steve Rutherford attended. Each officer was informed on how to recognize a lab and what type of lab it is.
“Knowing the type of laboratory in operation is important to police for investigative and safety reasons,” Edwards said.
The instructors, Sallisaw Detective Herb Hutchinson and Sgt. Jeff Murray, explained to the officers the items used in manufacturing methamphetamines and the dangers the labs pose.
Several pictures of burn victims, adults and children, were shown to the class. The instructors explained items used in a meth cook are sometimes hard to recognize. Meth cooks can use household solvents and some cleaning supplies.
“Many of the chemicals found in these labs are corrosive or flammable or both,” Edwards said.
Edwards explained that vapors emitted from the chemical reactions while producing methamphetamines can attack mucous membranes, skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. Some chemicals will react with water or other chemicals and cause a fire or explosion.
According to information provided at the class the effects of methamphetamine can cause violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. Some symptoms of methamphetamine use are;
•Sleeplessness
•Irritability, aggressiveness
•Weight loss or loss of appetite
•Increased blood pressure
•Talkativeness
•Sensitivity to light
•Elevated body temperature
•Skin ulceration and infections (from picking an imaginary crank bugs)
•Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
•Depression
•Paranoia
•Seizures
•and for intravenous users; AIDS, hepatitis, sores and infections at the injection sites, infection of heart lining and valves.
