The latest meth warning from the State Police: 'Meth danger along highways in NY'

Thomas F. O'Mara

From Gannett News, October 10, 2014: "Amateur chemists synthesizing methamphetamine are creating more than just the potent final product craved by addicts seeking their next frenzied high.

Along with the purified formulation of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen that makes up the drug known as meth or speed, the manufacturing process involves noxious precursors and remnants that all too often get littered across roadways and open spaces across New York state, creating dangers and expenses borne by the public.

Dealing with the detritus of the clandestine meth labs often falls either to unwary do-gooders or public employees tasked with cleaning public roadsides.

To increase awareness, New York State Police Sgt. Martin Kopcho, based in Owego, provided information on Thursday in Dryden to area highway departments and first-responders about meth lab remnants being left along highways.

The problem, Kopcho said, has been made worse by a meth production known as the one-pot method. For every one pound of finished product, about 10 pounds of hazardous materials are left over, he said.

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