What is MethCheck?
MethCheck is an initiative designed by MethCon Group to make our communities safer by working with specific industries to limit the ease with which specific items and chemicals can be purchased, manufactured into methamphetamine and then sold.

What sets methamphetamine apart from so many other hard drugs, is not only its highly addictive and destructive nature, but the fact that it can so easily be manufactured using readily available retail items in homes and dwellings throughout the country. This creates risk factors not only for many businesses and their staff, but also for communities.

With the advent of domestic methamphetamine manufacture over the past 10 years, we are all at greater risk of exposure to dangerous meth 'cooks' in retail outlets, toxic contamination, fires and explosions in accommodation, not to mention threatening violent behaviour from users and dealers who are frequenting night spots, bars and clubs. Alongside this, staff in specific industries are potentially at higher risk of being targeted for use, robbery, and access to goods, services and products.

Who are the at risk industries?

Retailer Industry:
Commonly available household chemicals and equipment are most often used to manufacture methamphetamine, often being accessed through such places as:

Hotel and Motel industry:
Where methamphetamine can be easily manufactured and distributed relatively undetected.

Hospitality industry:
Not only do people sometimes visit clubs, bars and night clubs under the influence of Methamphetamine and other drugs, but it is often accessed, bought and sold in these surroundings also.

How does MethCheck work?
MethCheck relies on three specific strategies aimed at delivering the maximum awareness and deterrence:

Education underpins the initiative with trainees from the various industries learning about the signs and indicators of use, manufacture and dealing, depending on the specific needs of their industry. As well as this, they are educated on things they need to be aware of and looking out for, and how to respond to issues they may be confronted with.

MethCheck signage is also provided for strategic placement at entranceways and point of sale areas. Within the retail industry, specific at risk products are also identified and may be placed in higher visibility areas, with shelf signs placed to indicate the presence of at risk items.

The purpose of the signage is twofold; to notify legitimate customers that the business is participating in the programme and is doing all it can to protect the interests of its staff, clients and the wider community, and importantly, to provide an overt deterrent to those that may be entering the premises' for illicit purposes. The signs are effectively saying, 'we are educated, aware, and know what to look for'.

Suspicious Transaction Reports are also provided to businesses, to be used when suspicious behaviour or transactions are detected. The single page forms are designed to be quickly filled out, and can then be forwarded directly through to Police for their attention using a dedicated process specifically set up for the programme. This level of cooperation and reporting should ensure a powerful deterrent and provide more meaningful responses.