Police set up a P lab at Fieldays

Police are using Fieldays to educate the public about the dangers of methamphetamine use. With a mock set up of a real methamphetamine lab on site, police are informing farmers about the possibility of cottages and rental properties being actively used as ‘P’ labs.

While the display may seem controversial, Andrew McAlley of Hamilton police believes the display is an effective tool for informing the public about the growing issue.

“This stuff is made from regular everyday day items and that anyone can be involved. What we’re trying to do is get a fine balance between educating people about the risk without going overboard and teaching people how to make meth.”

The set up is based on a real lab which was raided by police.

It features ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine, ingredients which a lot of people probably have in their homes.

With 18-21 labs being busted nationally each year, McAlley encourages the public to look out for key indicators that suggest a ‘P’ lab might be active.

“We are trying to educate people and get them thinking and the feedback we’ve been getting is ‘oh I seen such and such and I’ve seen so and so’. The biggest key message is never presume we know about them.”

Seven to 10 kilograms of toxic waste is produced for every one kilogram of ‘P’ and farmers are encouraged to keep an eye out for this waste.