METH LABS THREATEN SAFETY OF HORSE RIDERS BY CINDY K ROBERTS

Missouri’s high ranking in meth production means that more people in the state are caught brewing the stimulant in rural fields, in the backs of pickup trucks and inside hotel rooms. Alarmingly, in 2002 Missouri seized 1,599 labs, which then gave Missouri number 1 ranking in meth production. Lt. Tommy Wright from Jefferson County MO Law Enforcement explained, "That means we have seized the highest number of meth labs, that does not give us an actual production statistic." . Simply put, meth kills. The drug stimulates the central nervous system, producing excess levels of neurotoxins the brain cannot handle. As a health concern, meth eliminates brain functions and leads to psychosis and, in some cases, deadly strokes. Other long-term effects of meth use include respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, extreme anorexia, tooth decay and loss, and cardiovascular collapse and death. Take a good look...meth users age very quickly.
As an environmental hazard, the byproducts of meth labs contaminate their surroundings with harmful fumes and highly explosive chemical compounds. Abandoned meth labs are basically time bombs, waiting for the single spark that can ignite the contents of the lab. In the hands of the untrained chemists simultaneously using meth and working with the flammable chemical components, a working meth lab is just as unsafe.\ Now, meth labs are being found hidden in remote areas of our forest lands and parks. Equestrians need to be aware of the drug situation, simply because meth "technicians" are setting booby traps to protect their "business". To be safe, never leave the park trail or forest road and remain with your group at all times. When mother nature calls, take a buddy with you and do not venture far off the trail. Be very watchful of your surroundings. Keep your cell phone on you at all times.

Simple booby traps can spook your horse at the very least. However, highly deterrent traps can cause harm to you and or your horse and under severe circumstances, it could cost you your life or the life of your horse. These are common booby traps to be on the lookout for:

Noise Makers:
- A string is tied between two fixed objects and suspends a tin can containing a few rocks. When triggered, this booby trap only makes noise. The noise simply alerts whoever set the trap that an intruder is nearby. Since it operates by sound (and not a very loud one at that) it has to be close to the illicit activity. If you see or trigger one of these devices, consider leaving the area and notifying the authorities.
- Variants include bells and shotgun shells with the shot removed.
Snares:
- Fish hooks (usually barbed) are hung by light-weight fishing line in brush and trees at face level. As an intruder moves along a trail, he or she can easily catch a hook in the face. This is no accident as this is a snare type commonly used by drug farmers. Be aware of possible illicit activity nearby.
Irritating Agents (pepper spray, tear gas, etc.)

A trip device is set to trigger a canister that will discharge an irritating agent in sufficient quantity as to cause intruders to leave the area seeking relief. Again, this is not a practical joke. It is a serious attempt to keep you from discovering that which someone wants kept secret.

Examples of Lethal Booby Traps: Fortunately, booby traps of this sort are rare because they are only used by the most dangerous of criminal elements. Unfortunately, since their intent is to kill, they will be well hidden and very difficult to spot.
Shotgun Shell on a Rat Trap:
- A shotgun shell is attached to a standard rat trap and painted so as to camouflage the apparatus. It is then positioned on a tree or rock with the shotgun shell pointing to strike the victim's region and rigged to a trip wire. Note that the trip wire for this device has to be aligned with the shotgun shell's blast cone. Even if you do not see the wire, you can avoid it if you are lucky enough to have noticed the trap before triggering it. (Very difficult to do while on horseback.)
Explosives:
- Gunpowder is used in sufficient quantity to improvise an antipersonnel explosive. Further, powerful explosives can be mixed easily from basic household chemicals. Booby traps of this sort may be laced with nails, glass and even chemical and biological agents. The trip wire for this device can be almost anywhere. A short length of household pipe six inches to one foot long is commonly used as a housing.
What to do If you do find yourself in a booby trap situation:
Immediately stop all movement and alert the entire group -- even those not in the immediate area. If you have hand-held radios, this essential task should be easy and safe since it is unlikely that the transmitted radio energy will trigger a device of this nature.

If you can do so without compromising safety, mark your exact position with GPS or by compass.

Carefully vacate the area in the safest possible way (usually exactly as you entered it) and return to your horse trailer. The idea is to make a managed egress. If you feel it is unsafe to move, you still have options. If you are in a region with cell phone coverage, call 911 or the local emergency number to request a rescue. If that is not feasible, simply sit down and wait until you are found. This is why you never want to ride alone. Also know that fellow riders will eventually be riding the same booby trapped area you are in and may not know the dangers.

Once you are safe, alert the proper authorities (sheriff, ranger, etc.) as soon as possible and do NOT return to the site until it has been properly investigated and cleared.

State and local task forces and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency are all cooperating to fight meth in Missouri. Lt. Tommy Wright emphasized "It's an enormous task and we need your help. We'll keep doing what we're suppose to be doing but...what you can do is report a parked truck or van that looks suspicious. Call any local law officer to report any strange activity or persons exhibiting unusual behavior. Look for debris such as soda bottles with tubes coming from them, glass containers... but do not touch anything. Then we'll come in and clean up the area first, and pursue the individuals."

How to recognize a Methamphetamine lab?

Here are some things to look for:

Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals).
Shacks or cabins with windows blacked out.
Open windows vented with fans during the winter.
Excessive trash including large amounts of items such as: antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, engine starting fluid cans, HEET cans, lithium batteries and empty battery packages, wrappers, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner and duct tape. (This is just a small list of possible meth lab paraphanaila.)
Unusual amounts of clear glass containers.

Additionally, many of the chemicals can be found in common household items such as lantern fuel, cleaners, acetone, muriatic acid, and diet pills.

If you suspect a meth lab, leave at once and report it.

Do not open any coolers.
Do not touch any items.
Handling methamphetamine waste residue can burn your skin and eyes, and breathing in the gases can send you to the hospital.
Handling these chemicals with unprotected skin, or getting the dust in your eyes can cause serious damage.

The important balance of the task falls to us, the active trail riders in our communities. It is up to each of us to keep a watchful eye on our parks and public lands. Hold meetings within your saddle club to educate your members. Participate in a Trail Watch program in your area. Work with your park rangers and become the eyes and ears in our parks to help them do their job. Help other groups to recognize the drug problems that are threatening the safety of horse riders. Publish articles in your newsletter to help educate members. St. Louis area horse riders participate in a Trail Watch program being offered by St. Louis County Parks. Show Me Missouri Back Country Horsemen encourages your involvement and participation to help fight the war on drugs and keeping our public lands safe.