The Lombardi Law Firm Blog

Methamphetamine and the risk of explosion.

Methamphetamine (also known as speed, meth, crystal, crank, and sometimes ice) is a man-made chemical widely known for its powerful effects on the human body. It was originally called "crank" because it was hidden in the "crank" cases of motorcycles when it was first manufactured on the west coast. Meth is incredibly easy to make - but also incredibly dangerous. No one should ever try to make meth at home or elsewhere because fire and explosions are highly possible. Nevertheless, the DEA and others sometimes demonstrate to the public how meth is made in order to show just what the authorities are up against in their fight to contain the spread of this drug's use. While there are fewer labs across the country due to restrictions on some of the materials used to make meth, the drug is highly addictive and anyone who really wants to produce it can do so. Unfortunately, those who use meth aren't the only ones that can be harmed by it.

In this story, a three year old child, sustained second and third degree burns when an explosion occurred in her family's kitchen. Her father denies allegations that the burns were sustained when his attempts to make meth in the home went awry. The father, now awaiting trial, claims that he accidentally spilled burning grease in her play-pen as he tried to rush the flaming pan outside during a cooking accident. When help arrived at the home, the father claims he slipped out the back to avoid authorities because he had warrants out for his arrest. Authorities were skeptical of the claim that there had been a grease fire - they found empty bottles of ephedrine, "skinned" batteries, and other materials used to make meth. Faced with this evidence, the baby's mother finally confessed that [she believed] the accident didn't occur during a cooking accident as her father claimed. But the baby's father claimed that he didn't have any meth in his system and countered the allegations by saying that hospital officials told him the burns he sustained himself were inconsistent with an explosion that occurred during the making of meth. Both the mother and father were charged with aggravated child abuse and manufacturing meth; the baby has been placed with a foster family.

Part of the danger of meth is that it can be made at home from household items, notably among them batteries and cold medicine. But that doesn't mean that the process is safe - in fact, it can be very dangerous. After the pseudoephedrine has been extracted from cold pills, hydrogen chloride and ammonia is used to cook the meth. Authorities believe that John Osborne was using a "shake and bake method" to make meth when he and his daughter were burned. Using this method, a person can make meth in just about an hour, using a 2-liter bottle. However, plastic 2-liter bottles aren't made strong enough to withstand the pressure created in the bottle during the chemical process used to make the meth. In a later post I'll cover this method with a video to demonstrate the dangers; people need to be aware of what risks their adjoining neighbors activities can cause them.

Meth appeals to people of most ages, and backgrounds. No neighborhood is guaranteed to be safe from the drug, or the labs used to make it. Explosions that occur in during the production of meth can start fires, as well as launch debris more than 25 feet. The process creates toxic fumes and ether, which can be easily absorbed by porous surfaces in homes and can remain there for years afterward even if they don't lead to an explosion. Only some states have stringent cleanup laws. Because the toxic materials used to make meth are highly flammable, those making meth endanger themselves, their families, and their neighbors by increasing the risk of explosions and fire. If you see suspicious signs and happen to suspect that meth is being cooked in your neighborhood, contact the authorities.

And why am I writing this? Because parents who are addicted to meth need to be reminded of just how dangerous cooking meth can be. And if you're addicted to meth and have children in the home you are placing them at risk of injury or worse, death. Protect your children by getting help for your addiction. Watch this video clip to see how powerful a meth explosion can be.

Welcome to the Lombardi Law Firm website. Knowing your rights and how to protect yourself is important. Always be alert to risks that can cause you injury or get you killed.  Steve Lombardi provides commentary and insight on this blog, The Verdict and also writes for the Des Moines market of the InjuryBoard.com and on occasion on the Des Moines Register web site. Steve Lombardi has more than 30 years in civil litigation including death and injury cases for workers and their spouses for all types of accidents and injuries. Attorney Steve Lombardi is a personal injury lawyer. Join us in making the world a safer place. (515-222-1110 or sdlombardi@aol.com )

Labels: addiction attorney burn child Commentary death explosion injury iowa Lombardi meth safety