Mother wins meth lab battle

Erin Neff

Friday, May 16, 2003 | 9:58 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A small red mark on her baby's finger almost went unnoticed by Las Vegas resident Judy Cruden in 2002.

But when the woman realized her 18-month-old was burned by chemical residue, Cruden wanted to make sure everybody knew about her daughter's injury. The chemical residue that burned the child had been created in the meth lab that used to operate in the house Cruden had purchased.

That led her to the state Legislature and the passage of Senate Bill 204 on Thursday. The bill requires disclosure that a building for lease or sale was once used in the production of methamphetamine.

Cruden's next stop is Washington, D.C. She hopes Congress will pass a national disclosure law to prevent unsuspecting home buyers or renters or their children from becoming injured.

"The only reason I found out is because a neighbor came over and mentioned it to me," Cruden said during previous testimony in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

The house Cruden bought in North Las Vegas was a bank repo she was going to turn into a rental property. But when her daughter fell on the carpet briefly before being scooped up and suffered a chemical burn, Cruden's business opportunity turned into a fight with the bank.

The 1,400-square-foot home which North Las Vegas Police had once sealed off as a meth lab, required $20,000 to clean. Everything had to be scoured, from the carpet pad to the grout in the cabinets.

North Las Vegas Police Lt. Chris Larotonda said his department has uncovered 65 labs since 1997. The clandestine labs are easy to set up. Coffee makers or small electric burners are all that is required for a "cook' to heat ingredients into the stimulant.

After police finish with a meth lab location, they "cannot guarantee that all hazardous waste is removed," Larotonda said in committee testimony. "The vapors get into the walls, the wood, the carpet, everything."

The Clark County Health District is working to establish guidelines for toxicity related to methamphetamines and the residue created in the processing of the drug which can include the use of battery acid, over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, lye and antifreeze.

"There are no federal guidelines for clean-up of meth labs," said Sean Gamble, a lobbyist for the health district. "The Health District will take on the job of creating them."

North Las Vegas, which submitted the bill on Cruden's behalf, will continue to press for passage of similar legislation at the national level, according to city lobbyist Kimberly McDonald.

"We feel very strongly about consumer protection," McDonald said. "This is a good public health and safety bill."

SB204 passed the Assembly unanimously.

The measure now goes to Gov. Kenny Guinn for consideration. If approved, the law would take effect Oct. 1.