Meth Lab Education & Notification Program

Education Program

KDHE and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) developed and implemented education and notification programs to help landfills, first responders, chance encounter occupations, retailers, and the general public become aware of how to identify meth lab materials and who to notify when a lab is suspected or a suspicious transaction occurs.

Manufacturers and distributors of regulated materials must comply with the provisions of the Chemical Control Act and notify the KBI of all suspicious transactions. The Kansas Retailer Meth Watch Program strives to deter the production of methamphetamine by limiting the sale of common precursors. The program educates retailers' staff on products they sell that can be used in the production of meth, encourages retailers to limit the availability of large quantities of these products, and recommends stores voluntarily submit a Suspicious Transaction Report Form (PDF) when an improper purchase or theft occurs at their facility.

First Responders

First Responders include local law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other individuals associated with any group or agency that may be the first on the scene of a meth lab.

It is important for local law enforcement and fire departments to have training in order to understand the hazardous materials associated with meth labs, and know when and how to approach these labs when to evacuate areas, and what types of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be necessary. If your department has questions about encountering or seizing meth labs, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME (800-572-7463).

Chance Encounter Occupations

Chance Encounter Occupations include public works or highway workers, farmers, utility workers, park rangers, county health agencies, SRS agents, or other individuals associated with any group or agency that may come across the scene of a meth lab. It is important that these people avoid the meth labs and contact local law enforcement or the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. The Meth Watch program can also assist with awareness training for people working in these occupations.

Retailers to Kansas Retailer Meth Watch Program

Retailers such as pharmacies, grocery stores, discount stores, convenience stores, and agricultural cooperatives are critical in our fight against methamphetamine production. Retailers can limit the sales of certain ingredients to small quantities so that the "cookers" must work harder to get sufficient quantities of materials for drug production.

Retailers are urged to join the Kansas Retailer Meth Watch Program. If a suspicious transaction occurs we urge you to fill out the KBI Suspicious Transaction Report Form (PDF) and immediately call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME (800-572-7463 with all pertinent information. It is important to educate your employees as to which items you sell may be used to produce meth so these notification forms are filled out properly. If you would like to participate in this program, please call Cristi Cain at the Kansas Methamphetamine Prevention Project, 785-266-8666. KDHE has educational handouts with information regarding these common materials. To request more information concerning the Kansas Retailer Meth Watch Program please call the Kansas Methamphetamine Prevention Project at 785-266-8666.

General Public

Do not approach a suspected meth lab. If you suspect a methamphetamine lab in your neighborhood, please call your local law enforcement agency or the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME (800-572-7463.

Waste chemicals from meth labs are often dumped on roadsides, in fields, and in wooded areas. These dumping grounds may contain propane tanks, empty pop bottles (often with plastic tubing attached), empty starting fluid cans, rock salt, materials stained red and brown, empty acetone or camping fuel containers, and miscellaneous glassware. Please be very careful if you discover a meth lab dump, and call your local law enforcement agency immediately.

If you own a rental property where a meth lab has been discovered, it will be your responsibility to provide documentation to KDHE that the residence is safe for human occupation. If you are aware of a meth lab in a property you own, you may be held liable if you do not notify your local law enforcement. Our guidelines, Cleaning Up Former Methamphetamine Labs (PDF), can help you restore your property.

KDHE has established Health Guidance Values (HGVs) for cleaning up residences previously used for illegal methamphetamine laboratories. These values can be obtained from KDHE and will be used to evaluate the level of contamination. If you have further questions regarding this issue please call KDHE at 785-296-6370.