What is Ice (Meth, Methamphetamine)

Meth is a type of amphetamine the stimulates the central nervous system. Methamphetamine is a class A Drug which is produced within Australia and imported illegally. Australia has the one of the highest consumption rates of Methamphetamine in the world.

How is Ice (Meth, Methamphetamine) Made?

The basic ingredient in meth is pseudoephedrine which comes from cold pills. It takes around 1100 pills to make about 250 grams of Methamphetamine, which equates to a street value of $250,000.00.
There are three methods of making methamphetamine: P2P, Red Phosphorus, and the Nazi method.

Method Common Ingredients
P2P
Takes several days
Phenylalanine; Thionyl chloride; Lithium aluminium hydride; Sodium borohydride; Vaporized chloromethane; Gaseous Pyridine
Nazi
The Nazi method got this name as it is supposedly the method Hitler used to manufacture meth for his troops
Takes a day or so
Anhydrous ammonia; Lithium batteries; Starter fluid; Cold pills; Sulfuric acid; Hydrogen chloride gas; Hydrochloric acid; Nitric acid; Sodium or potassium nitrate; Ethanol; Aluminium foil

How long does Ice (Meth, Methamphetamine) stay in your system?

Meth can stay in your system for up to 90 days. The detection rates are as different depending on the testing used. Blood – 1-3 Days, Saliva – 1-4 Days, Urine 1-7 Days, Hair – Up to 90 days

What is Ice (Meth, Methamphetamine) made of?

Red Phosphorus
Relatively to steal or purchase red phosphorous
Can produce a batch in a matter of hours
Cold pills; Rubbing alcohol; Muriatic acid (concrete
cleaner); Coleman’s fuel (kerosene); Acetone; Iodine crystals
or tincture; Hydrogen peroxide; Sodium hydroxide; Matchbooks; Hydriodic acid; Hydrochloric acid; Sulfuric acid; Vinegar; Toluene (brake cleaner); Methanol; Methylamine; Calcium chloride; Nitrogen; Benzyl chloride; Ethyl ether

How is Ice (Meth, Methamphetamine) consumed?

Meth can be consumed a number of ways. The most common os smoking, injecting or snorting. If you find drug paraphernalia relating to smoking or injecting drugs, we recommend testing the area for Methamphetamine residue contamination.

What effects does Ice (Meth, Methamphetamine) have on a person?

The effects of ice can last for up to 12 hours but may impair sleep for a few days after taking it. As with all drugs, Ice affects everyone differently, but effects may include increased confidence, pleasure, alertness, energy, repetitive itching and scratching, dilated pupils, dry mouth, teeth grinding, excessive sweating, increased heartrate and breathing, lack of appetite and increased sex drive.

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse and drug abuse is use of a drug or methods in which a drug is consumed which are harmful to the person consuming the drugs or others. Depending on the context this definition is variable whether in public health, criminal justice or criminal. A substances legality is not considered in the definition of substance abuse, as alcohol or prescribed drugs can also be abused.

What type of drug is ice (Meth, Methamphetamine)?

Ice (Meth, Crystal methamphetamine) is a stimulant, meaning it speeds up communication between the brain and the body. Ice is stronger than many other illicit substances and more addictive and therefore has more harmful side effects than the powder form of methamphetamine known as speed.

How addictive is ice?

Ice is considered to be very addictive. This is believed to be related to the extreme changes in brain chemistry caused by the drug. With any addictive substance to likihood to become addicted increases with the number of times used.

What does meth look like?

Ice in its purest form looks like colourless to white crystals, hence the name Ice. Generally, what is sold on the street comes in a crystalline powder form and can be white or light brown.

What is the difference between ice and speed?

Ice and Speed are both stimulants, however Speed is generally around 10-20% pure, whereas Ice is around 80% pure. For this reason, the effects of the drug are heightened significantly.

How to tell if someone is using Ice?

A person’s behaviour and physical appearance can change when they’re using drugs. Items in their environment may also be an indicator of drug use. These are listed below. BEHAVIOUR – Mood Swings, withdrawal from family or usual social circles, reduced concern for personal appearance of hygiene, or changes in reliability or respect of responsibilities. PHYSICAL CHANGES – Glassy or red eyes and very large or very small pupils, excessive sniffing, nosebleeds, incoherent or slurred speech, change in gait, shaking or tremors or a sudden change in a person’s weight ENVIRONMENTAL – Spoons, syringes, small snap lock bags, pipes, burnt foil or missing property or prescription drugs.

How to help someone get off ice?

Overcoming addiction can be difficult. You can help a person by employing the following – Understand that whilst you may see a person’s drug use as an issue, they may not. – Be open and honest with your concerns and how it may be effecting their life – Remain positive and help them focus on other things that they really care about – Don’t use guilt, threats or bribes – Get support yourself and set boundaries you are comfortable with – Help the person seek further support through counselling, rehabilitation services or agencies.

What does meth smell like?

Meth generally has no smell, but it can have a faint chemical odour. The smell of meth can sometimes also smell like nail polish remover, cat urine, rotten eggs or burning plastic. Meth labs emit noxious chemical odours and smells like those mentioned above.

Why do people take ice?

The reasons people chose to take Ice are varied. Some factors that can contribute to someone’s choice to use drugs include, social inclusion, to reduce anxiety or inhibitions, manage mental health issues, cope with problems or enhancing work or sexual performance. If drug taking is normalised in a social network or environment such as festivals this can also lead to people taking drugs like Ice.

Can I paint over a house contaminated with meth?

Encapsulation is a remediation method mentioned in some of the literature surrounding Methamphetamine Residue decontamination. We would only use encapsulation in very specific circumstances and advise against this prior to seeking advice from a Methamphetamine decontamination specialist. There is more to a decontamination scope than merely treating the surfaces, so painting a home will not effectively treat the various contaminated materials within a property. Encapsulation may reduce or conceal levels of contamination, but this cannot be guaranteed over a period and the contamination may resurfaces over time and through wear and tear or repeated cleaning of the surface. Generally, if a property has been painted after contamination has occurred a full “strip-out” of the property is required.

How to tell if a property was previously a drug house?

In some properties there can be obvious signs that a home may have been used to manufacture Methamphetamine. These signifiers include but are not limited to, chemistry apparatus like beakers or Bunsen burners, sticky red or yellow residue on surfaces, excessive chemical containers or gas cannisters, strange odours, fire pits and drug paraphernalia. In more cases that we see it is difficult to tell that something untoward has happened within a home. Sometimes it comes to light through reports from neighbours or residents detecting an odd smell or feeling unwell. The best way to determine if your home may have been used to manufacture methamphetamine or if it was smoked within the property is conduct Methamphetamine Residue Testing.

What are the health effects of living in a property contaminated with Meth Residue?

Meth users experience a range of health issues, due to exposure of dangerous chemicals. Unfortunately, just being exposed to meth residues in a former meth lab or meth user house causes similar symptoms.

These can include:

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Breathing Difficulties
  • Nose and throat irritation
  • Confusion

Some dangerous chemicals created from manufacturing methamphetamine include the release of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These toxic gases are known to even play a role in causing various cancers. In the production of meth, acids or bases are essential. When you come in contact with either of these, it can cause severe damage to the eyes and a burning sensation on the skin. Other components of the meth cooking business involve heavy metals and salts, which are known to cause a wide range of serious health issues such as kidney damage, autoimmune diseases, birth defects if exposed when pregnant, respiratory irritation and a negatively affected mental function.

In the production of meth, acids or bases are essential. When you come in contact with either of these, it can cause severe damage to the eyes and a burning sensation on the skin. Other components of the meth cooking business involve heavy metals and salts, which are known to cause a wide range of serious health issues such as kidney damage, autoimmune diseases, birth defects if exposed when pregnant, respiratory irritation and a negatively affected mental function.

What’s in Meth?

Over 350 chemicals have been found in Meth Labs, including the following:

  • Phenyl-2-propanone
  • Ephedrine
  • Pseudoephedrine
  • Phenylpropanolamine
  • Methanol
  • Diethyl ether
  • Mercuric chloride
  • Hydrogen sulphide
  • Hydriodic acid (HI)
  • Iodine
  • Red phosphorus
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Sodium hydroxide

How do I become a Meth Tester?

The key to becoming a tester in Australia is sourcing the appropriate company to provide your training. Unfortunately, in Australia there is currently no accreditation for Methamphetamine Residue Testing Technicians, despite what some providers may suggest. Meth Testing Kits will soon be providing comprehensive Methamphetamine Residue Testing training, if you would like to be contacted when the course is available express your interest via the following link, and we will be in touch.

How accurate are the Meth Testing Kits?

Our Meth Testing Kits are the only independently validated kits available in Australia at this stage. Comparative analysis has been conducted and found our kits to be reliable for detecting levels of contamination present in a property over the guideline level of 0.5µg/100cm2. We commonly use these kits in remediation works to confirm that the property has been decontaminated prior to laboratory testing and have found the kits to be accurate.

Are the Meth Testing Kits Easy to Use?

Yes, these kits are designed for anyone to use and come with comprehensive testing instructions. You can watch our instructional video via the following link…Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to assist, call us on 1300 246 429.

What do I do if I get a positive result using the Kit?

If you get a positive result from the DIY Meth Residue Testing Kit, we recommend further testing to determine the specific levels and locations of contamination within the property. This is important as it will determine how safe it is for the residents of the home and will guide the remediation process.

We have trained Methamphetamine Residue Testing Technicians throughout Australia that can attend your property to conduct a full analysis, submit the samples to a NATA Accredited Laboratory and then provide a full report on the testing procedure and its findings, and finally provide comprehensive remediation plan and quote should the property require decontamination.

How many tests should I do in my house?

We recommend conducting at least one test in each area of a home, including toilets, hallways garages. There is no real rhyme or reason as to which areas in a home are likely to be contaminated, and this is more difficult where there are no visible signs of contamination present within a property. A standard 3 Bedroom home generally requires between 10-15 samples to accurately test throughout.

Can I get someone to do the testing for me?

Yes. If you would like an independent party to conduct the testing and provide a report of the findings, our specialised Methamphetamine Residue Testing technicians can attend your home to conduct thus testing on your behalf. The charge for this in metropolitan areas is $369.00 (Including GST) and includes 10 Meth Testing Kit Samples. If sampling suggests contamination is present, we can also take laboratory samples in the same visitation and keep on hand until approval is gained for submission for analysis at a NATA Accredited Laboratory.

How soon will my Meth Testing Kit order take to arrive?

If your Meth Testing Kit order is placed before 4pm (AEST) on a weekday they will be dispatched on the same day. All orders are sent by Australia Post Express Post so in Metropolitan you can expect your order within 1-2 business days, or 2-3 days in regional areas.

Can I hold my tenants liable for damage if I get a positive result for Methamphetamine Residue in my house?

Not necessarily. Unfortunately, even if you are very sure of the contamination being caused by a specific tenant, it can also be claimed that the property was contaminated prior to their tenancy. The best way to protect yourself and your investment is to conduct testing between each tenancy and keep thorough records of the testing.

Do these kits come with a Safety Data Sheet?

Yes, you can access the Safety Data Sheet via the following link,

MSDS Forensic Narcotic Test SDS Material Safety Data Sheet SDSDownload

Are the Kits Accurate and Validated?

Yes, you can check it here:

MMC-Meth-Testing-Kits-Hill-Laboratories-independent-validation-test-result-Nov-14Download
Certificate of Analysis – MMC Forensic Narcotic Test MethamphetamineDownload