June 27, 2006
Protective equipment and a co-ordinated inter-agency response policy to safely take down clandestine drug labs are now in place, Attorney General Gord Mackintosh and Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.
"Skilled and well-equipped teams are prepared to deal with the scourge of meth in every part of our province," said Mackintosh. "More than a partnership, the Unified Takedown Protocol identifies expertise that can be provided by various agencies and departments, how they can be contacted 24 hours a day and their commitment to support one another to effectively deal with the dangers associated with clandestine drug labs."
The province also partnered with the City of Winnipeg, providing $8,500 toward the purchase of specialized clothing and equipment necessary to provide personal protection for police officers investigating chemically-contaminated drug labs.
"Meth labs and grow ops are filled with potential dangers ranging from mould spores to explosives," said Oswald. "When first responders take these places down, having the right, trained professionals responding with the right gear in a co-ordinated way helps to minimize the danger to everyone concerned."
The new Unified Takedown Protocol is a co-ordinated, inter-agency approach identifying how various municipal, provincial, federal and other agencies can assist police.
While police agencies investigate and identify evidence in a case, other organizations have expertise in areas such as fire suppression, neutralizing hazardous materials, emergency medical treatment, social services, building structure analysis, and hydro and natural gas service.
Police decide when to call in other agencies that are part of the protocol, namely the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Services, Office of the Fire Commissioner, Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Family Services and Housing, Health Canada and Manitoba Hydro.
In 2005, Manitoba Healthy Living and Manitoba Justice established a task force to develop a comprehensive crystal meth strategy to restrict the supply and reduce the demand for this drug.
For more information on the Manitoba Meth Strategy visit: http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/meth.html.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
unified takedown
protocol partners
Health Canada
Manitoba Hydro for assistance with clandestine drug labs and grow ops throughout the province where there’s a need to shut off or reconnect electricity and natural gas and deal with dangerous alterations to reduce the risks at a scene.
Manitoba Conservation environment officers to provide on-scene expertise related to environmental damage and people’s exposure to chemicals. Officers provide technical supports to emergency services through air monitoring, chemical identification, sampling, disposal and transport, along with environmental cleanup, remediation and site assessments.
Office of the Fire Commissioner for assistance with clandestine drug labs and marihuana grow operations outside of Winnipeg. They can provide expertise in dealing with hazardous materials, decontamination and rescue capabilities.
City of Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services for assistance with clandestine drug labs in Winnipeg. They can provide fire suppression, expertise in dealing with hazardous materials, decontamination, rescue capabilities and emergency medical services.
Manitoba Conservation health inspectors for assistance with clandestine drug labs and grow ops throughout Manitoba, other than Winnipeg’s inner-city area, where there is a potential health risk as a result of contamination. They can provide expertise on the contamination of buildings and have the ability to initiate a process to have a place declared unsanitary and unfit for habitation.
City of Winnipeg health inspectors can provide the same services as Conservation health inspectors, but for clandestine drug labs and grow ops within the inner-city area of Winnipeg.
City of Winnipeg building inspectors for assistance with clandestine drug labs and grow ops in Winnipeg where it is thought structural damage to a building has made it unsafe. Their role can include identifying unsafe conditions, inspecting repairs to ensure compliance with building codes, properly securing derelict and vacant buildings, and providing appropriate maintenance for them.
Manitoba Family Services and Housing for assistance with clandestine drug labs and grow ops across the province when children are found at or have been living in the premises. They will ensure the safety of children found to be in need of protection, arrange medical attention when necessary and assume responsibility for ongoing planning for them.
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