Clandestine laboratories are illicit places used to manufacture illegal drugs, particularly methamphetamine. In other countries, however, clandestine laboratories are often primarily devoted to the production of heroin and other drugs. However, Mexico has numerous clandestine laboratories that are dedicated to the production of methamphetamine, which is subsequently trafficked into the United States. Since the United States has cracked down on methamphetamine production, a great deal of production has moved to Mexico, according to law-enforcement authorities.

Individuals use a variety of common household chemicals to manufacture illegal drugs such as methamphetamine. As a result, federal laws limit the amounts of common household products that can be sold to individuals, and when individuals seek to buy large amounts of these chemicals, law enforcement authorities are alerted.

The manufacture of drugs such as methamphetamine in the home or other location is very dangerous because the chemicals are volatile. Individuals have been harmed or killed when the chemicals spilled or exploded. In some states, if an individual operates a clandestine laboratory, it is specifically considered a form of child abuse, and the child is removed from the family for his or her safety.

Some experts believe there is an environmental risk to the home when illegal drugs are created there and report that the chemicals used may linger within the walls of the home or other site for extended periods before they dissipate.

Despite the health and safety risks, as well as the risk of losing their children to state control, some individuals persist in creating drugs in clandestine laboratories because they consider it financially profitable. They may not factor in the high risk of being caught by federal and state authorities and the risk of prosecution and incarceration.

Most clandestine laboratories in the United States operate solely to create methamphetamine, in large part because it is a highly profitable business, albeit an illegal one.

The following signs may indicate the presence of a clandestine laboratory that is used to create methamphetamine:

- strange smells emanating from the home, similar to the odors of cat urine or nail polish removers

- a large supply of toxic chemicals in the house, such as drain cleaner, antifreeze, and fertilizers

- large quantities of cold medicine with pseudoephedrine or ephedrine (beyond what would be needed in a normal household)

- many empty pill bottles throughout the house, with no apparent lawful reason for their presence

- excessive amounts of matches, lithium batteries, and plastic bags

- the constant presence of many people in the house, at all times of the day and night

- individuals in the home who are irritable, have mood swings, and may exhibit aggressive or repetitious behavior

- many visitors at unusual times, especially in the evening or late evening

- blackened windows or windows that are covered with aluminum foil, obscuring a view into the interior of the home

It should also be noted that the clandestine laboratories that produce methamphetamine are extremely dangerous, not only to those who produce the drug but also to any others who may reside in the home or be present during the manufacture of the drug, such as children and other family members. The fumes from methamphetamine are so toxic that they can cause brain damage.

Methamphetamine must be produced at very high temperatures, and it is extremely volatile during manufacture. As a result, there is a high risk of fires and explosions, as well as a risk for unusually severe chemical burns that are usually difficult for physicians to treat. Methamphetamine abusers who create the drug may be impaired because they are using the drug, and thus, they have a greater risk of accidents and injuries from its manufacture. However, even those who are not abusers of methamphetamine or other drugs but who operate clandestine laboratories find the manufacture of methamphetamine to be difficult and dangerous.

The vapors that emanate from the production of methamphetamine will seep into the carpet and walls of the homes where methamphetamine is produced, and some experts have estimated that the cost is at least $2,000 per site to make a home fit to live in again after a laboratory has been removed. The restoration work must be performed by experienced specialists.

Methamphetamine production is also bad for the environment because it produces a considerable amount of toxic waste, and experts estimate that for each pound of methamphetamine that is produced, there are about five or six pounds of hazardous chemicals created. Since the individuals who create methamphetamine in clandestine laboratories are operating illegally, they are unlikely to have any concern about protecting the environment, and thus, they will often empty their waste material from the drug manufacture into fields and rivers, which may then contaminate the water that is available to both humans and animals.

Free term papers are not written to satisfy your specific instructions. You can use our professional writing services to buy a custom written research paper, term paper, or essay on Drugs and Drug Abuse at affordable price. CustomTermPapers is the best solution for those who seek help in writing term papers, essays, and research papers related to Drugs and Drug Abuse and other relevant topics.