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's Illegal Drug Activity in Homes: Managing Risk (PDF 1MB) provides an overview for owners or agents on how to deal with these issues. Detailed guidance for industry and local government on investigation and remediation processes for specific illegal drugs are provided in the links below. They all also include guidance on selecting qualified service providers.