Residential and commercial properties used for making or smoking illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine (meth, ice), or growing cannabis may present a health risk to current and future occupants from residual contaminants. These activities are quite common in Perth and across Western Australia. The risk depends on the type of activity at the property.
Activities of concern include:
- clandestine drug laboratories (clan lab): a house, commercial property or place used to manufacture or ‘cook’ illicit drugs, especially meth
- meth or illicit drug smoke house: a house or commercial property used to smoke these drugs, but not manufacture them
- grow house: a house or commercial property or place used to grow an illegal crop of cannabis (marijuana) for sale
The Department of Health (the Department) illegal Drug Activity in Homes: Managing Risk (PDF 1MB) provides an overview on how to deal with these issues, particularly for owners or agents. Detailed guidance on the three contaminating activities and remediation processes are provided below. They all also include guidance on selecting qualified service providers.
Meth Smoke House Report and Public Risk Statement
The Department has published a report on Public health risks of methylamphetamine (meth) smoke houses.
Based on this and other work undertaken by the Department, it has also released a detailed position statement on Public Health Risks of Residues from Smoking Methylamphetamine in Homes (PDF 174KB).