1.   (a) Child Welfare (CW) staff maintains regular contact with law enforcement to stay informed about the most current indicators of methamphetamine use and production.  The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control information flyers are kept in supply at each county office.

(b) Outbuildings, hotel and motel rooms, apartments, storage sheds, garages, and vacant buildings are common places where methamphetamine is produced.  Some of the indicators of methamphetamine use and production identified by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control are:

(1) strong odor that resembles urine or unusual chemicals, such as ether, ammonia, or acetone;

(2) little or no traffic around the home during the day, but significant activity during very late hours;

(3) extra efforts made to cover windows or reinforce doors;

(4) trash not put out for collection;

(5) significant accumulation of items, such as cooking dishes, coffee filters, or bottles that do not appear to be for regular household use;

(6) presence of unusual quantities of chemicals; and

(7) vehicles loaded with laboratory materials or chemicals.

(c) The CW worker, in initiating an investigation alleging use or production of methamphetamine:

(1) requests law enforcement to accompany him or her; 

(2) remains in the car until law enforcement has determined that the residence is safe to enter; and

(3) does not enter the residence under any circumstances when there is evidence of a methamphetamine laboratory.

(d) When there is evidence of a methamphetamine laboratory either outside or inside the residence, the CW worker:

(1) does not enter any residence where there is any evidence of methamphetamine laboratory materials or chemicals on the property; 

(2) discreetly but immediately leaves the residence if he or she unknowingly enters a home in which there is evidence of a methamphetamine laboratory, and drives to a safe location to contact law enforcement; and

(3) follows decontamination procedures as described in (e) of this Instruction.

(e) If there is any exposure to a methamphetamine laboratory, decontamination procedures are followed.  The CW worker:

(1) covers car seats and floorboards with plastic covering and washes hands with soap and water before touching the steering wheel;

(2) goes to a safe location to change clothes and place the dirty clothes in a plastic trash sack.  All exposed skin surfaces are washed with soap and water.  Any items carried into the home are washed with soap and water; and 

(3) makes every effort not to touch any surface until the skin and items have been washed with soap and water.

(f) Each county office follows safety precautions for children who have likely been exposed to a methamphetamine laboratory.

(1) The county office makes prearranged agreements with law enforcement to handle decontamination procedures for children.

(2) All transportation of children is handled by law enforcement.