Protect Yourself and Others

. . . children . . . save a life

To report child abuse and neglect in Washington State call:

Child Protective Services
1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-4276) (24 hours a day)
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/safety/abusereport.asp

For additional information on drug endangered children, contact:

Washington State Alliance for Drug Endangered Children - http://www.wadecalliance.org/
Office of National Drug Control Policy - Drug Endangered Children - www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

. . . if you see criminal activity

Olympia/Thurston County Crime Stoppers
360-493-2222 (anonymous)
www.crimebusters.org

 Anonymous Meth Hotline
1-888-609-6384 (national)

. . . your identity

What is identity theft?
How do thieves steal an identity?
What do thieves do with a stolen identity?

For answers to these questions and how to protect your identity, visit the Federal Trade Commission's webpage by clicking here.

. . . your property

Do you suspect a drug lab is brewing?
Have you found piles of toxic garbage?

Thurston County Public Health & Social Services - Environmental Health
360-867-2589 or 360-867-2664
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehhw/complaint.html

Washington State Department of Health Hotline
1-888-5TOXICS or 1-888-586-9427
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/cdl/methlab.htm

Drug Lab Cleanup
Includes meth lab fact sheet, certified decontamination contractor companies and individuals to clean drug labs, cleanup fees, requirements, and standards http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/cdl/default.htm

Publications

• Is There a Meth Lab in My Neighborhood?

• Preventing Drug Labs on Motels/Hotel Property

• Preventing Drug Labs on Rental Property
  

. . . your neighborhood

Neighborhoods across Washington have had success in fighting methamphetamine by forming watch groups that work with law enforcement to monitor suspicious drug activity in their areas.

Some signs of drug activity include:

• Increase in neighborhood crime including burglary, robbery, identity theft, car prowls, and reports of stolen mail.
• Unusual amount of traffic at one house with cars usually staying for short periods of time.
• Neighbors who are awake and active for days at a time.
• Neighbors engaged in unusual activities including disassembling cars or appliances for no apparent reason.
• A neighborhood house with bizarre security practices stemming from paranoia.
• Neighbors who only smoke outside.
• Visitors running in and out of a home carrying backpacks or unusual plastic bags.
• Domestic violence, neglected children, and even gunfire.
• Homes with the windows blacked out.
• Newly acquired "guard" dogs.
• Tennis shoes hanging from a telephone wire is an underground signal for drug sale and activity.

Start by talking with your neighbors about meeting together to form a group dedicated to working with law enforcement to monitor activity in the neighborhood. For information on how to start such a group and what you can do, Lead-On America provides some helpful suggestions (Go to www.leadonamerica.org/community booklet print.pdf. Also, http://www.usaonwatch.org/ provides information on how to start a neighborhood watch program.

Source: Methpedia.org

. . . employers

Employers need to understand the possible signs of substance abuse and have policies and practices in place to keep the workplace safe.

• Use criminal background checks

• Look for patterns

• Note dramatic changes in work performance

• Do your homework

The most effective treatment is prevention.
Talk to your kids about the negative affects of methamphetamines and other drugs.
For suggestions, visit "Time to Talk" ~ http://www.timetotalk.org/