Use these Everyday EMS Tips resources to learn more about the risks and hazards of crystal meth. As you probably know meth patients and meth labs pose a significant hazardous materials exposure risk to emergency responders. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that has a severe impact on the central nervous system. Police officers, fire fighters, and EMTs are often the first on-scene to secure the area and begin emergency care of patients. Learn to recognize the signs of a contaminated scene as well as a patient under the influence of meth with these articles, audio interviews, and CE lessons.
1. Methamphetamine Use and Hazards for EMS CE lesson from RapidCE.com. This lesson explore the effects and use of methamphetamine and the unique scene safety hazard that clandestine drug labs pose to emergency responders and children.
2. Former Meth Addict Shares Story article at EMSResponder.com
3. Meth in America radio interview from OnPointRadio.org with author Nick Reding about his book Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town (Amazon Link)
Finally, my friend Buck Feris wrote a great post at Gomerville.com about responding to a home contaminated by meth to assess and transport two children from the house to the emergency department for evaluation. Buck explores the tragedy of poverty and addiction.
Bonus Article: Clandestine Labs Can Be Hazardous to Responder’s Health (an article from Officer.com)