TB 180 Drug Labs: Recognition and Hazards

Question 1

An illegal narcotic laboratory or production house is also frequently referred to as a _____, or “clan lab.”

Answer 1

clandestine drug laboratory

Question 2

Clandestine drug labs generally cause three main types of harm:

Answer 2

(1) physical injury from explosion, fire, chemical burns, and toxic fumes
(2) environmental hazards
(3) child endangerment.

Question 3

“Clan lab” chemists can produce a wide array of substances including, _____, _____, hallucinogens such as LSD or PCP, or club drugs (MDMA or GHB).

Answer 3

methamphetamines / heroin and synthetic opiates

Question 4

They can also extract the THC from marijuana producing ____ and waxes.

Answer 4

“honey” oils

Question 5

These clandestine chemists are also known to be ____ into pills and other consumables.

Answer 5

mixing pure fentanyl

Question 6

Not only are these homemade drugs dangerous, but the labs that produce them can be located in any ____ and pose serious health and safety threats to the public.

Answer 6

neighborhood

Question 7

Toxic chemicals, explosions, fires, booby traps, and armed criminals can pose a risk for the people who ___ onto the labs.

Answer 7

inadvertently stumble

Question 8

Common indicators of an illicit drug laboratory:

Answer 8

Uninhabited structures and presence of toxic fumes or excessive amounts of trash, particularly chemical containers.
Robust security systems including video surveillance.

Question 9

Common indicators of an illicit drug laboratory:

Answer 9

Doors and windows are concealed, blackened out, or covered with aluminum foil.
Large ventilation fans for fume dispersal, odor removal, and cooling processes.

Question 10

Common indicators of an illicit drug laboratory:

Answer 10

Presence of 55-gallon steel drums.

Delivery of large amounts of ice or cooling agents.

Question 11

Common indicators of an illicit drug laboratory:

Answer 11

Strong distinct odor of ether or other volatile fuels/solvents.
Illegal electrical wiring or the presence of large generators for power needs.

Question 12

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is produced from the ____ by a chemical process known as ____.

Answer 12

opium poppy / acetylation

Question 13

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the four major source areas include ______.

Answer 13

Mexico, South America, Southwest Asia, and Southeast Asia

Question 14

Heroin is not produced in the US, but is commonly “milled” (wholesale quantities broken down and packaged into mid-level and retail quantities). This is usually done in ___ and apartments.

Answer 14

private homes

Question 15

A recent _____ trend is the production and use of fentanyl.

Answer 15

synthetic opiate

Question 16

Illicit fentanyl production requires ___ material.

Answer 16

no plant

Question 17

Since fentanyl is a ____ made from various chemicals, laboratory scientists have the ability to interchange many different chemical compounds.

Answer 17

synthetic drug

Question 18

These substances are reported to be ______ more potent than morphine.

Answer 18

50 to 100 times

Question 19

However, one of the most potent fentanyl analogues known as _____ has a potency of ____ that of morphine.

Answer 19

CARFENTANIL / 10,000 times

Question 20

If the presence of fentanyl is suspected, members must take protective measures: considering the “_______” principles.

Answer 20

Time, Distance, and Shielding

Question 21

At a minimum, ____, avoid actions which could cause powders to become airborne, use a properly fitted ____ and ____, and minimize any potential skin contact.

Answer 21

wear gloves / NIOSH respirator mask / eye protection

Question 22

Illicitly-produced fentanyl is increasingly available in the form of ____.

Answer 22

counterfeit prescription pills

Question 23

Fentanyl traffickers use fentanyl powder and pill presses to produce pills that resemble popular prescription opioids, such as _____ and _____.

Answer 23

oxycodone / hydrocodone

Question 24

According to the DEA: “clandestine fentanyl pill pressing operations will likely increase throughout the United States…counterfeit fentanyl-containing pills will continue to be associated with clusters of overdoses and deaths due to ____ and often ______.”

Answer 24

inconsistent mixing / \ unexpectedly high potency

Question 25

Rapid recognition of exposure: early signs of ____, to late signs of difficult respirations.

Answer 25

watering eyes or nose

Question 26

Rapid treatment of _____ and emergency decontamination for responders’ (including law enforcement officers) who feel symptomatic.
Notification to JHAT.

Answer 26

naloxone (Narcan)

Question 27

Production and distribution of methamphetamine has been one of the ____ threats in California.

Answer 27

primary drug

Question 28

Every pound of methamphetamine produced generates _____ of hazardous waste.

Answer 28

five or more pounds

Question 29

Much of this waste is dumped down drains or on the ground, creating many additional ______.

Answer 29

contaminated sites

Question 30

Phencyclidine (PCP) or “angel dust” and Ketamine are mind altering substances with serious _____.

Answer 30

hallucinogenic effects

Question 31

PCP was developed as an anesthetic and marketed under the name “____.”

Answer 31

Sernyl

Question 32

Ketamine was created as an anesthetic for animals, and is often known as “_____.”

Answer 32

Special K

Question 33

The production of these drugs is often associated with _____.

Answer 33

highly volatile chemicals

Question 34

____ of illegal PCP laboratories are found because these volatile chemicals tend to explode or catch fire.

Answer 34

30%

Question 35

Some of the lethal chemicals in production of PCP are _____ and _____ (which when mixed creates hydrogen cyanide gas).

Answer 35

potassium cyanide / hydrochloric

Question 36

Also,______ is so volatile that it will explode when it comes in contact with water.

Answer 36

phenyl magnesium bromide

Question 37

Phenyl Magnesium Bromide:
This substance is usually recognized by the presence of _____ in a flask or container which is _____. It is important to maintain this ice pack and not let any water enter the flask.

Answer 37

magnesium turnings / packed in ice (or dry ice)

Question 38

In the Los Angeles area, PCP is most commonly found in one of 3 forms:

Answer 38

(1) crystalline, which is inhaled or sprinkled on another substance

Question 39

In the Los Angeles area, PCP is most commonly found in one of 3 forms:

Answer 39

(2) liquid, which produces “angel dust” when mixed with leafy substances and dried tablets

Question 40

In the Los Angeles area, PCP is most commonly found in one of 3 forms:

Answer 40

(3) cigarettes dipped into the liquid often called “Kool” sticks or “Sherm” sticks.

Question 41

____ (“ecstasy,” “x,” or “molly”) remains a popular drug expanding from raves and clubs into schools, malls and residences.

Answer 41

MDMA

Question 42

___ and ___ remains another club drug with an ever-expanding popularity.

Answer 42

GHB / GBL