The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office is reminding residents to be careful when picking up discarded plastic bottles as they may contain methamphetamine residue and could be dangerous.
Police say meth, a dangerous drug, is dangerous when the waste product is being discarded.
It is made using the drug pseudoephedrine and common household chemicals, such as lye and Coleman gas. The chemicals are mixed in a two-liter pop bottle and once they begin reacting, there is danger of explosion and fire.
Police say once the user gets the drug out of the bottle, it is discarded. Sometimes, the bottles are thrown in ditches or yards.
If a person picks up a bottle containing meth waste, the chemicals inside can reactivate, causing an explosion and fire.
Police say if you see a 2-liter pop bottle with a milky substance at the bottom, don't touch it. Leave the area immediately and contact police, who have deputies specially trained to dispose of the dangerous chemicals.
The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office says although it has had no reports of meth lab waste this year, it wants everyone to stay alert to prevent injuries.
