West Region OPP is working to educate people about methamphetamine.
OPP report that Methamphetamine directly contributes to an increase in substance use disorders, violence, property crimes and jeopardizes public safety.
Detective Constable Chris Auger says people can watch for signs of meth production in their neighbourhoods, such as chemical waste or smells.
"You might see people keeping odd hours, people who have short stays in the house. Another thing you might see is people blacking out the windows so you can't observe inside," said Auger.
Crime Stoppers Canada, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and police services across Canada have launched a national public awareness campaign about the negative impacts of methamphetamine. They say the link between property crime and substance abuse is well-known to police. Officers often seize drugs during property crime investigations and stolen property is often recovered during drug investigations.
Clandestine Laboratory Investigative Response Team (CLIRT) and the Urban Search and Rescue, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Response Team (UCRT), work with other police and emergency services to disrupt methamphetamine use in our communities.
Locally, the South Bruce OPP has a dedicated Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) that focuses on drug and property crime investigations. They also offer Drug Awareness presentations through the Community Safety Officer (CSO) and Drug Awareness sessions in schools by their dedicated School Resource Officers (SRO).
A media release from South Bruce OPP says the dangers associated with a meth lab include: fire, explosion, harmful fumes and environmental damage as toxic chemicals are mixed together. It's damaging to the environment as well; manufacturing 1 kilogram of Meth produces about 6 kilograms of toxic waste.
If you suspect there's a meth lab in your neighborhood, remain at a safe distance, avoid approaching or confronting suspects and call your local police, or CrimeStoppers, if you wish to remain anonymous.
Along with our community partners, the South Bruce OPP is working to get this dangerous drug out of our communities.
"While all substance use has potential harms associated with it, Crystal Meth is one of the most destructive illicit drugs - especially if abused. Meth has a considerable amount of harms associated with it, and has considerable negative social impacts related to the impacts on the individual and families struggling with substance use disorders. One of the main reasons for the dangers associated with his drug are the ways in which it is manufactured. Toxins and chemicals can be contaminated in much of the meth supply, adding to the already long list of risks with this substance. It is imperative that a non-stigmatizing and harm reduction approach be applied to the meth situation in Grey Bruce, to alleviate the harms from the substance while offering an open door to help those struggling with a substance use and/or mental health illness," said Ian Reich, Manager - Harm Reduction, Grey-Bruce Health Unit.
The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.