Eagleβs Eye on Housing: Illegal Drug Activity in Homes
By John Kiedrowski, FNNBOA Project Manager (fra)
Background
Residential illicit drug activity is a cause of concern for First Nations and Indigenous communities. Tenants and owners are vulnerable due to potential health and safety risks to future occupants.
In First Nations communities where the Council owns homes and members reside in them, some homes may be contaminated or damaged due to the production or smoking of illicit drugs, especially methylamphetamine (meth, ice, crystal meth) and/or cannabis (marijuana, THC).
Chiefs and Councils that own homes (e.g., landlords) are obligated to ensure that any property provided to their members, whether rented or sold, is in a reasonable state of cleanliness and complies with health and safety laws.
This information bulletin will assist Chiefs and Councils, housing authorities and owners to identify and manage illicit drug contamination in residential properties in order to reduce the risk of exposure to occupants.
The bulletin is based on the assumptions that the home is vacant and that police have taken action to deal with illicit drug activities, and that the occupants have been removed.
Residential Illicit Drug Activities
Homes that are owned by Chiefs and Councils or are operated by housing authorities (e.g., rental or leased properties) are in some instances used for manufacturing, smoking or growing illicit drugs. Illicit drug activities that are the focus of this bulletin:
Smoke houses are residences in which crystal meth and other drugs, such as heroin and cannabis, are smoked regularly but not manufactured. The contamination level will depend on the frequency and amount of usage, but generally drug residues in these homes tend to be far lower than clandestine labs (clan labs) and are more readily remediated (cleaned up). Cleaning may include the use of commercial cleaners.
Clandestine laboratories (clan labs) are places for the secret manufacture of illicit drugs using improvised equipment, often in an unsafe manner. Drug residues, raw materials and waste chemicals can contaminate surfaces in a house long after production ceases. Meth residues are most common. The level of contamination from a clan lab has the potential to be a high health risk due to the potential for direct contact with very high concentrations of lingering drug residues. It is recommended that professional cleaners and qualified lab/forensic testers be hired to remediate (clean up) a clan lab.
Cannabis grow houses are often a rental property that was extensively modified to grow cannabis hydroponically. This can cause extensive structural damage and mould infestation. The most significant health risks are safety of entry due to the potential structural instability of the house (as a result of unauthorised alterations, including electrical), potential water damage and exposure to spores from mould growing inside the residence. Occasionally, residues may also be found from pesticides, trace elements in fertilisers, and other volatile drugs or chemicals
Reference Materials
The following reference materials may be useful for First Nations and housing authorities dealing with remediating a contaminated house.
Individuals entering any home or building where they suspect the place is contaminated should wear the proper health and safety equipment and follow the health and safety regulations under their jurisdiction.
Clandestine Amphetamine-Derived Drug Laboratories: remediation Guidelines for Residential Settings (pages = 14)
Authors: Prabjit Barn, Michele Wiens, Patti Dods
Publisher/Journal: National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (December 2012)
The NCCEH presents guidelines on the remediation of clandestine amphetamine-derived drug labs for the purposes of protecting the health of re-occupants. These guidelines do not address other health hazards that may be encountered during cleanup.
Guidelines for Cleanup of Residential Property Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine (pages = 32)
Author: Virginia Department of Health (September 12, 2013)
Publisher/Journal: Virginia Department of Health
The guidelines offered here represent the consensus of the participating members and their best efforts to assure that cleaning guidelines meet nationally recognized models put forth to prevent further contamination of residential property and to protect public health.
The purpose of the guidelines is to provide cleanup procedures and standards determined by the Board of Health to be βbest practicesβ reasonably calculated to assure that current and future property owners and occupants who follow the guidelines can remediate methamphetamine contamination to a level that does not pose a threat to persons occupying residential dwelling units
Household Contamination with Methamphetamine: Knowledge and Uncertainties (pages =15)
Authors: Emma J. Kuhn, G. Stewart Walker, Harriet Whiley, Jackie Wright, and Kirstin E. Ross.
Publisher/Journal: Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 4676; doi:10.3390/ijerph16234676
This article provides a review of some of the remediation methods used to clean methamphetamine in a home. This article presents the current state of knowledge regarding the contamination of residential homes with methamphetamine and identiο¬es the current gaps in knowledge and priority areas for future research.
(Open Access)
Illegal Drug Activity in Homes: Managing Risk (pages = 7)
Author: Government of Western Australia
Publisher/Journal: Government of Western Australia
This guide will assist tenants, landlords, managers and real estate agents to identify and manage illicit drug contamination in residential properties in order to reduce the risk of exposure to occupants.
Methamphetamine Contamination in Residential Properties: Exposures, Risk Levels, and Interpretation of Standards (pages = 39)
Authors: Peter Gluckman, Anne Bardsley, and Felicia Low
Publisher/Journal: New Zealand: Office Of The Prime Ministerβs Chief Science Advisor,(May 29, 2018)
Some media reports have claimed that the smoking of methamphetamine in residential properties results in environmental contamination of surfaces within the home, such as benches, carpets, and curtains. However, the impact of residue from methamphetamine varies depending on whether it arises from recreational use versus manufacture of methamphetamine at the property. Numerous studies now clearly indicate that recreational use of methamphetamine does not result in the build-up of residue that would harm future resident.
Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine Laboratory Cleanup (pages = 45)
Author: United States Environmental Protection Agency (March 2013)
Publisher/Journal: United States Environmental Protection Agency
This document provides voluntary cleanup guidelines to homeowners, cleanup contractors, industrial hygienists, policy makers and others involved in meth lab remediation. It does not set requirements, but rather suggests a way of approaching meth lab remediation for buildings.
Laboratory Services
There are laboratories in Canada that offer services where First Nations and housing authorities can apply specialized wipes (i.e., wipe sampling) to identify various illicit drugs within the home. This can determine the amount of illicit drugs found within the home and help to determine the best remediation. For example, a wipe sampling can help inform the decision to either decontaminate drywall after three surface washes or remove all the drywall.
Cassen Testing Laboratories - www.cassen.ca
51 International Blvd. Toronto, ON, CANADA. M9W 6H3
Tel: 416-679-9663 | 1-866-424-3001 | info@cassen.ca
Cassen Testing Laboratories can send out a wipe sampling kit. However, instructions must be followed to ensure the samples are not contaminated. Special instructions are required on how to take the sample.
If you having problems accessing information from any of these links please contact FNNBOA at info@fnnboa.ca.
Disclaimer
This Bulletin is not intended to provide legal advice or direction. It is for information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional or legal advice. FNNBOA disclaims liability in respect of anything done in reliance, in whole or in part, on the contents of this Bulletin.