Methamphetamine Testing
Australia is facing an ice epidemic and according to the United Nation’s 2014 World Drug Report, our nation is currently ranked as having the third-highest usage rate in the world.
Since 2014 the number of ice (also known as ‘meth’ – an abbreviation for ‘methamphetamine’ and ‘clan’ – an abbreviation for ‘clandestine’) users continues to rise along with the number of meth labs. Almost half of these meth labs are being uncovered in Queensland at a rate of approximately one meth lab per day.
To further magnify the scale of the problem, The Environmental Health Standing Committee has proposed an estimated 9 out of 10 meth labs are going undetected. Between 2010 and 2015, 3,680 clan labs were detected in Australia, so based on eHealth’s estimation, approximately 33,120 clan labs have gone undetected! Most of these being in residential homes.
Whilst the media focuses on the number of lab busts and meth-related crimes, everyday Australians are being faced with the subsequent problem of meth contaminated properties and its long term financial and health effects.
The Residential Tenancy Act deems landlords to have a responsibility to ensure their property is safe for future occupants and property managers have a duty of care to advise their clients about the risks of methamphetamine contamination. A meth residue test should be conducted in between each new tenancy agreement. If a house is found to be contaminated it could cost tens of thousands of dollars in temporary accommodation for tenant’s, decontamination of tenant’s furniture and other associated costs.
You may like to test before a lease or tenancy agreement is signed, for a record, then tests can be done with scheduled routine inspections or once the building is vacated. If elevated contamination is found at least some costs can be recouped from the tenant’s bond.
Total Inspections can offer Instant/rapid testing which can detect if there is contamination above the recommended levels. This can be helpful for a quick check. If this test finds there is contamination, Total Inspections can return and take laboratory tests as per the international standard, known as NIOSH 9111 Laboratory test. This is when a sample is taken and sent to a NATA approved Laboratory for exact contamination levels. Total Inspections can then give advice on the decontamination process. Total Inspections will issue a report detailing the process, locations of testing and results.
