Preventing Drug Labs on Your Property

Tips for Landlords:
Methamphetamine

PROVIDED BY THE CHEYENNE METH INITIATIVE.

The Costs to Rental Property
When drug criminals operate out of rental property, owners pay a high price:

Civil penalties, including loss of property use

Damaged property from renter abuse and police raids

Loss of rent due to eviction and repair operations

Decline in property values

Toxic contamination and/or fire from meth production

Dangerous, threatening tenants

Resentful and angry neighbors*

You Can Prevent Big Problems!

At the time of application, take three easy steps…

Ensure the application is complete

2. Conduct a background check to determine:

Rental history

Credit report

Employment history

Criminal background

Meet every adult moving into the unit and require a picture identification*

Visit your property and watch for signs of a drug lab…

Unusual strong chemical odors

Excessive amounts of trash, specific to making meth (chemical containers, empty cans of paint, red-stained cloth, duct tape rolls)

Blackened windows or drawn curtains

Extensive security or attempts to ensure privacy

Frequent visitors at all hours of the day or night

Renters who pay in cash**

FACT

Over one-half of residential drug labs are found on rental property

Property owners are responsible for

decontamination costs

Decontamination costs average $6500 for a 1200 sq. ft. home****

Labs put kids at risk!

A child living at a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory faces serious health and safety risks.

Chemical contamination.

Inhaling, absorbing, or swallowing toxic chemicals that are used to produce meth can cause severe sickness, death, and birth defects.

Fires and explosions.

Approximately 15% of meth labs are discovered as a result of a fire or explosion.

Abuse and neglect.

Children living in meth labs are at increased risk for severe neglect and physical or sexual abuse.

Hazardous lifestyle. Filth and hazardous living conditions are common at meth labs.

Explosives, guns, and booby traps have been found at sites.

Social problems.

A violent, chaotic, and neglectful environment causes stress and trauma.

Many children that live in drug-using homes exhibit social and relationship problems. ***

If you suspect a meth lab on your property:

Contact your local police or sheriff's office

f it's an emergency, dial 911

Do not enter a site that you think may be a clandestine meth lab

Labs that are used for producing meth are dangerous

Meth labs may have traps set up

Explosions or fires could occur

You could be exposed to hazardous chemicals

For more information:

www. drugfree.org/meth

For more information contact

Cheyenne Meth Initiative

Email: admin@cheyennemeth.org
Mail: Box 371
Cheyenne, WY 82003

Emergency Numbers

Cheyenne, Wyoming Police Dept.
(307) 637-6521

Laramie County Sheriff's Office
(307) 633-4700

Department of Family Services
(307) 777-7921

Websites

The MFiles: www.mfiles.org

National Drug Intelligence Center
www.usdoj.gov/ndic

National Institute on Drug Abuse
www.drugabuse.gov

InfoFacts: Methamphetamine
www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/methamphetamine.html

National Drug Intelligence Center
www.usdoj.gov/ndic

Office of National Drug Control Policy
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
www.drugfree.org

Wyoming State Department of Health
Substance Abuse Division
http://wdh.state.wy.us/SAD

Brochure References

* Landlord Training Program. Campbell Delong Resources Inc.

http://www.cdri.com/LandlordTraining/LTPNat4_0.pdf ** What are the Signs of a Meth Lab? Meth Fact Sheet.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

http://www.drugfree.org/Files/Meth_Fact_Sheets ***Dangers to Children Living at Meth Labs.

Governor's Office of Criminal Justice and Planning, n.d.,

Multi-Agency Partnerships:

Linking Drugs and Child Endangerment,

Sacramento, CA, p.9. www.ojp.usdoj.gov

****Washington State Dept. of Health. Div. Of Environmental Health.

Office of Environmental Health and Safety. www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/CDL/