Not in our Backyard: how clandestine drug laboratories impact the health and environment of our regional communities SEGRA 2019 Kathy Woolley, CEO WRI August 2019
32.4% in How big a problem are Queensland. 29.2% in 12.1% in clandestine drug labs? Highest over Victoria NSW many years 463 laboratories detected in Australia in 2016-17 4.1% of labs were detected in regional areas 2
… they are already in Kitchen labs Amphetamine our back yards 49.5% - type stimulants 63.9% of producing small – most detections of amounts for commonly drug labs in own use or to manufactured residential areas 2007-08 2016-17 share with drug friends Range from Mobile labs crude to highly Rural labs Second largest 4.1% of sophisticated. locality after Large scale laboratories residential producing 50+ found in rural areas areas kgs of ATS per cycle 3
How can I tell if a Equipment Windows Chemicals or blacked out such as tubing, clandestine lab is in my containers – pumps, Acetone, backyard? syringes and Heavy ammonia, condensation medication solvents boxes on windows … but not only in Strong odours, premises – mobile Drugs labs create staining in sinks, paraphernalia additional toilets and on problems like walls. dumping chemicals 4
Case study 5
Family of five – including 3 children aged 7 – 11 years - rural Victoria, 2015 Former identified drug lab – inhabited for almost two years before vacated Testing revealed methamphetamine residue on surfaces was 23- 52 times above the Australian limit of 0.5 micrograms/100cm 2 Case study OUTCOME • Evidence of systematic absorption of methamphetamine from the environment in hair samples • The family members developed adverse health effects including asthma like symptoms, trouble sleeping and behavioural change • Most pronounced in the youngest child 6
Regional City in NSW A resident in a regional city bought a house in a long established residential area. Drug manufacturing related equipment left in the house. She started to clean house herself. Case study OUTCOME • Hospitalised several days after cleaning with high fever, migraines, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting and severe stomach pains. • 2 years later – still has health issues • House sold for $45K less than purchase price – and spent $65K on renovations and $600 on professional cleaners. 7
Creates … What impacts do clandestine drug labs have on the Production of environment? … Here’s some bad news…. 8
Sierra Remote San Diego Nevada regional NSW Mountains area Chemicals from drug Dumping of red Site manufacturing in Case studies phosphorous contaminated backyard. 2002 Extensive soil Fires occurred Longevity and volatility contamination and 10 years after No potential leaching of the contamination dumping into groundwater. degradation of meth. Half a football field. residue after Remediation costs around $38K – who 9 years pays? 9
Loss of What impacts do appetite clandestine labs have Heart Death problems on me? Here’s the really bad Drug l abs news. impacts Nausea, Seizures vertigo Contact with drug lab sites can lead to …. Erratic Panic / and violent Psychosis behaviour 10
Drug lab Mobile lab Drug lab Case study explosion explosion explosion Case studies Western Sydney Gladstone, Qld Kingswood, NSW 2 people found in car – severe Explosion caused Explosion and fire significant damage injuries at townhouse and scattered debris consistent with outside the second The fire did not chemical floor apartment. ignite the 70 litres explosion. of diethyl ether The “cook” died of Ingestion of found at the his burns 5 weeks fumes in small premises - later. spaces fortunately . concentrates the danger. 11
Apart from the crims, who else is at risk? Innocent Innocent First responders victims victims * First responders Children * Children Police Real Estate Pets Council agents * Pets staff Property owners *Home owners Cleaners Ambulance – current and officers * Neighbours Painters new Fire brigades Stock 12
Impacts Opportunity - it’s getting worse… Tell your High customer to improve communities what loyalty – use in you bring in terms product engagement of social and strategies awareness exposure to fumes from economic benefits a drug lab site for 30 Positive Social Marketing seconds…. 4 days of opportunity based on attitudes of impacts are the human capital pain students and assessment – what’s significant in it for me (students parents and your clients) . Lobbying Grants 13
Juliet Duffy Phone: 02 6884 8820 0407 120 325 E: juliet@enviroscience.com.au Thank you www.enviroscience.com.au Kathy Woolley Phone: 02 6333 4000 0428 987 202 E: kathy.woolley@wri.org.au www.wri.org.au 14
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