Police launch new Meth Watch initiative

Police have launched a new twist on the neighbourhood watch program.

Instead of keeping an eye out for suspicious people, police want to educate you on how to spot meth labs.

"I could never really function sober, from a young age," said 29-year old Nick Garardin, a recovering addict.

He was only 12 years old when he started doing drugs, but it was methamphetamine that destroyed his life.

"I started going in and out of jail, starting committing crimes, started doing things I would never see myself doing," he said.

And he said access to meth in Winnipeg is easy.

"There’s always, you bust one person there’s always another to take their place, always, there’s like 10 others waiting to take their place," said Girardin.

It’s that easy access Winnipeg Police want to stop. On Wednesday the department launched the Meth Watch Program, aimed at educating retailers to report questionable purchases of chemicals, like drain cleaners and starter fluid.

"We’re going to provide them with information on what to look for, phone numbers to contact, and pamphlets and poster to show that they’re partnering with the police," said Detective Mike Mackinnon with the Winnipeg Police Organized Crime Unit.

The owner of Cantor’s Grocery says it has happened to him.

"I asked what are you doing with all this product?, oh we’re making an experiment," said Edward Cantor, "what kind of experiment? a science project. And they were fairly young when they came in."

He was suspicious but didn’t know what to do, now he’ll call police.

"I would have them on surveillance and watch them, show the police after when they’re here and turn them in if I could," said Cantors.

There are also ways to find out if there’s a meth lab in your neighbourhood. If you smell a strong chemical odor coming from a home or if you notice your neighbour throwing out a lot of garbage or chemicals down a city drain.

"The waste products themselves when they’re dumped these individuals don’t take them to disposal sites," said Sergeant Rod Hourd, with the Winnipeg Police, "They dump them in the creeks, they dump them in the streets, they dump them in the sewers."

Last year, Winnipeg Police busted one meth lab. They’re not common but police would rather not see them at all.

So would Girardin, who’s been clean for three months.

For information regarding methamphetamine, visit the Consumer Health Product Canada website by clicking here.