Target Businesses A ll over Washington, businesses report the theft or disappearance of chemicals and hardware that can be used to manufacture illegal drugs. Drug labs mostly produce methamphetamine, also known as crystal, crank, ice or speed. It is a powerful and addictive stimulant. The Washington State Patrol reports that its Statewide Incident Response Team has responded to more illegal drug labs in the first four months of 1997 than in all of 1996. Similar figures are reported by the Ecology staff who dispose of the chemicals found at illegal drug labs.
Many businesses keep items on hand that can be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Make sure to keep any of the items listed below in a secure place. S ome businesses pay more than they should to manage their dangerous waste. The Dangerous Waste Regulations give breaks to generators who reuse or recycle their waste. Many firms do not know about these allowances so they dispose of their waste instead of reusing or recycling it. One Washington chemical manufacturing company found that its spent catalyst would not be regulated as a dangerous waste if it was reclaimed.