Children and clandestine drug laboratories: the unseen victims

To the Editor: Recent amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA) have introduced mandatory prison sentences for parents who endanger their children’s health and safety by having them present at a clandestine drug laboratory.1 Despite legal and law enforcement awareness of this increasing problem across Australia, a criminal offence in all states since 2005, many medical professionals remain unaware of the dangers of clandestine laboratories.

A clandestine drug laboratory refers to an illicit operation consisting of apparatus and/or chemicals that either have been or could be used in the manufacture or synthesis of drugs, most commonly methamphetamine.2 Such laboratories range from rudimentary set-ups using simple chemical techniques to highly sophisticated complex operations.2 They can be located anywhere — residential dwellings, hotel rooms, apartments, vehicles, campgrounds and commercial establishments.2

Between 2009–10 and 2010–11 in Western Australia, there was a 50% increase in the number of clandestine laboratories detected (from 118 in 2009–10 to 171 in 2010–11).3 There were children at risk in about 40% of these laboratories.3 These trends are observed nationwide, with the Australian Crime Commission report on illicit drugs detailing a record high of 809 laboratories detected across Australia in 2011–12 (Box).3

Risks to children exposed to clandestine laboratories include physical injury — one in five laboratories is discovered after explosions,3 and many laboratories are booby trapped or have firearms present;2,5 and exposure to methamphetamine, which can be deposited in the vicinity during manufacture, and to toxic chemicals used or produced in the process.2,5 Symptoms of exposure to toxic by-products and methamphetamine include respiratory and neurological problems.2,5,6 Fatalities have been reported.5,6 The risk that children living in these conditions will have been exposed to child abuse and neglect is high.5,6

A child who has been discovered at a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory must undergo decontamination, usually on site by trained personnel; and a full medical assessment, with particular attention to neurodevelopment. Documentation of findings needs to be complete, as a report may be required by criminal or child protection agencies. Many of these children will require referral to a paediatrician for ongoing management.

We would urge all health professionals in Australia who are involved in the care of children and adolescents to familiarise themselves with this emerging public health concern. The United States National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children provides a good overview of the medical evaluation of children found in drug labs that could be adapted for use in Australia.5

National clandestine laboratory detections between 2001–02 and 2011–12*

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* Adapted with permission from the Australian Crime Commission.3,4