Who pays for meth lab cleanups?

[n2doc]

Posted on: August 10, 2011 4:53 PM, by Liz Borkowski

Jim Salter of the Associated Press reports that many law enforcement agencies are reducing their attempts to shut down methamphetamine manufacturing because they can no longer afford to clean up the labs.

Brian Freskos of North Carolina's Star News reported back in May that Congress has generally appropriated $10 million for meth lab cleanup annually, and the Drug Enforcement Agency has administered the funds - but this year, the money ran out in February. Freskos writes:

For decades, when police found a meth lab, the federal government funded what was essentially hazardous waste removal. The process often involves people in hazmat suits and masks carefully removing toxic substances that can explode or leach into the water and soil. Removing each site often costs several thousand dollars.

The program is funded through U.S. Department of Justice's COPS program, which took a financial hit under the current federal spending plan. And meth lab disposal has not even been included in the president's recommended 2012 budget.

more

http://scienceblogs.com/thepumphandle/2011/08/who_pays_for_meth_lab_cleanups.php

[Bosso 63]

1. We all do, one way or another.

Damn idiots.

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. I can fix this in 2 shakes and the legislation won't even take a page.

Legalize Marijuana, tax it, stop wasting resources on law enforcement, prosecution and prison. Reallocate all of those funds to the hazmat issue.

Done.

[GoCubsGo]

3. Speaking of meth labs.... (A warning for all)

Now, they are cooking the stuff in plastic soft drink bottles. It's a huge problem in the national forests, especially down here in the Southeast. If you run across a bottle on the ground, and it still has liquid in it, don't pick it up, especially if it has tubes coming from it, or has an odor that isn't soft drink smell. It might contain meth, or some of the ingredients, and is likely explosive.

[Frustratedlady]

5. They also use gallon milk jugs and throw them along the highway.

We've had quite a few meth house burned down by the fire department. I know of one ranch home thaat was cleaned out by hazmat types which took several weeks. When they were done, word had gotten around it had been a meth house and now they can't sell it. Should have burned it down.

[hlthe2b]

4. Anyone live in a condo, townhome or apartment?

Stay in those business-oriented suite type hotels that also cater to longer stays?

You may stand a fair chance of encountering this. It is not comforting to find out--after the fact-- that you have been staying in a room just down from an active meth lab was discovered. Most locales are now requiring notification when a property is listed for sale, but you may never know if you are renting (or staying somewhere during travel). Not a comforting thought, is it?

[DURHAM D]

6. I have always assumed the property owner pays for it.

If on government owned property that would be a whole other thing.

If government funds are paying for cleanup on private property it needs to stop.