VICTORIA - A 10-minute video using real-life police, firefighters and paramedics to depict the dangers of clandestine drug labs is now available to first responders across B.C. The DVD provides viewers with information to assist in the recognition of clandestine labs and instruction on containing the scene to prevent injury and contamination.

In the last four years, police in B.C. have found and dismantled over 80 clandestine drug labs. The clan labs, producing synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and ecstasy, have been discovered in houses, apartments, barns, commercial properties and vehicles.

Drug labs are filled with corrosive, highly toxic, flammable concoctions of chemicals. First responders entering a clan lab can be exposed to chemicals that can cause severe injury and death. Clan labs can also be rigged with booby traps to prevent intruders from discovering the activities of the lab operator or "cook." First responders can quickly find themselves in danger when they respond to a call involving a drug lab. This is especially the case when a clan drug lab is encountered through what seems to be a routine call.

The RCMP report that the majority of methamphetamine in Canada comes from domestic supply. Law enforcement agencies in B.C. believe that criminal organizations are involved in most of the synthetic drug production in the province. A study conducted by the International Centre for Urban Research Studies at University College of the Fraser Valley analyzed all of the cases of clandestine drug labs by all police agencies in B.C. from 2003 to 2005. The vastmajority of the labs (73 per cent) were capable of producing large amounts (over one kg) of methamphetamine per production cycle. Most of these large labs were producing more than five kg of methamphetamine per production cycle.

The BC Justice Institute, with funding from the provinces of B.C. and Alberta, co-ordinated production of the clandestine lab video. It was produced in collaboration with the Vancouver Police Department, the RCMP, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service and the BC Ambulance Service. Approximately 1,000 DVD's will be distributed to police, firefighters and paramedics within the next two weeks.