Drug Endangered Children (DEC)

In Wyandotte County, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, social workers, child advocates, medical professionals, and prosecutors are becoming increasingly aware of the serious risks faced by children who are present at methamphetamine laboratories.

The DEC program is a model by which many agencies can learn how to best address the legal, medical, and social issues associated with children present at methamphetamine laboratories and other hazardous drug production and abuse environments.

The Task Force is currently developing protocol to bring together agencies in a cooperative effort to remove children from homes where methamphetamine is produced and to safeguard the children from further abuse and neglect.

For a presentation or more information on this project, contact the Regional Prevention Center at 913-288-7685.

The products used to manufacture meth are purchased or stolen every day from businesses in Wyandotte County.

Meth lab closures in Kansas increased from 4 in 1994 to 844 in 2001 - the rate is still on the rise.
Locations where meth is produced are very dangerous because of environmental contamination and the possibilities of explosion. Labs are also very expensive to clean up.

The majority of meth users are employed. Meth use leads to workplace violence, increased absenteeism, higher turnover rates, increased worker's comp claims, and high health insurance rates.
Meth is not only dangerous to the user but also leads to increases in theft and burglaries, domestic violence, auto accidents, neglect and abuse of children, and the spread of diseases.

For a presentation or more information on this project, contact the Regional Prevention Center at 913-288-7685.

Retail business employees, managers and owners - those selling products that can be used to produce meth including grocery and convenience stores, auto supply stores, and propane exchange locations.

Neighborhood residents - meth labs have been closed in all areas of Wyandotte County - is there one in your neighborhood?

Realtors, hotel/motel employees and owners, apartment complex managers, landlords, property inspectors and appraisers - anyone who deals with property who could benefit from knowing the signs of a meth lab.

Farmers, farm supply employees and co-op employees - because of the risk of having chemicals stolen by meth producers and farmland contamination by the dumping of chemicals used in meth production.

Youth - whether in schools, church groups or other youth organizations - our youth must learn early about the dangers of meth.

YOU!

Schedule a presentation for your business, organization or neighborhood -- it will be tailored to fit the needs of your group.

Report suspicious activity.

Talk about the meth problem and encourage others to become involved.

Distribute meth educational brochures to your organization.

Encourage local retailers to become knowledgeable about the products used in making meth.

Encourage farmers to use tamper tags to secure their anhydrous ammonia tanks and to use alternate fertilizers.

Attend a workshop to learn more about methamphetamine.

• Unusual, strong odors
• Unusual number of chemical containers.
• Presence of bottle, jars and jugs
• Windows covered or blacked out
• People smoking outside.
• Paranoid or odd behavior
• Lots of traffic, especially at night
• Doors ajar for long periods of time.
• Propane tanks with blue-stained valves.

Common household products that are used to make Meth

• Over the counter cold tablets or diet drugs
• Starter fluid
• Coffee filters
• Mason jars
• Lithium batteries
• Rock salt

• Exact street address of the activity location
• Names of resident(s) or name of landlord if the location is a rental property.
• Vehicle description and tag number of vehicles belonging to residents of the location.
• Times of day and dates of observed suspicious activity.

Option Two

If you are not able to obtain this information, or are uncomfortable making the report, contact NCPP's
Meth Info Line
913-573-8793.

They can answer your questions, follow-up on your concerns, collect information and report it to the Police and keep you informed about the investigation.

The Police Department, the TIPS program and NCPP will keep your information confidential.