To the Editor: Recent amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA) have introduced mandatory prison sentences for parents who endanger their children’s health and safety by having them present at a clandestine drug laboratory.1 Despite legal and law enforcement awareness of this increasing problem across Australia, a criminal offence in all states since 2005, many medical professionals remain unaware of the dangers of clandestine laboratories.
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- 1. Parliament of Western Australia. Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill 2011. http://www.parliament.wa. gov.au/parliament/bills.nsf/BillProgressPopup? openForm&ParentUNID=5F7DB1AA42D659AC 482578F00019DC92 (accessed Sep 2013).
- 2. Martyny JW, Arbuckle SL, McCammon CS Jr, et al. Chemical concentrations and contamination associated with clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. Chem Health Saf 2007; 14: 40-52.
- 3. Australian Crime Commission. Illicit drug data report 2011-12. http://www.crimecommission.gov. au/publications/illicit-drug-data-report/illicit-drug-data-report-2011-12 (accessed Nov 2013).
- 4. Australian Crime Commission. Illicit drug data report 2010-11. http://www.crimecommission.gov. au/publications/illicit-drug-data-report/illicit-drug-data-report-2010-11 (accessed Nov 2013).
- 5. Mecham N, Melini J. Unintentional victims: development of a protocol for the care of children exposed to chemicals at methamphetamine laboratories. Pediatr Emerg Care 2002; 18: 327-332.
- 6. National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. National guideline for medical evaluation of children found in drug labs. http://www.national dec.org/directory/91242/95026 (accessed Jun 2013).
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