<p>Probably you’d hear about it before me. I just saw it posted on WP:</p>
<p>"Police discovered a methamphetamine lab inside a freshman residence hall on the Georgetown University campus early Saturday. </p>
<p>Four hundred residents of Harbin Hall were evacuated and two freshmen were detained for questioning. Students and administrators at the prestigious private university were startled by the find."</p>
<p>Not a parent, but it’s so ridiculous, especially since it’s my old dorm.</p>
<p>This is so bizarre - how could this happen? Everything at Georgetown is so compact… all I know about meth labs is that they are isolated because of the smell and toxicity. Does anyone know of a meth lab discovered at any other university?</p>
<p>Yes. A local grad student was making it in the chem department labs.</p>
<p>I’m a resident of Harbin. This morning I was evacuated at 6am and I’m spending the day in my pajamas and bathrobe.</p>
<p>[Chemical</a> & Engineering News: Science & Technology - Student Suspected Of Making Meth](<a href=“http://pubs.acs.org/cen/science/86/8636sci2.html]Chemical”>http://pubs.acs.org/cen/science/86/8636sci2.html)</p>
<p>Unbelievable!</p>
<p>Xiaoluliu, is it a large dorm? Did you notice any unusual chemical-smell? Sorry you’re evicted…hope you can get back in your room soon and that the bldg is deemed safe (from any residual toxicity).</p>
<p>[UCF</a> chemistry major ran meth lab, police say](<a href=“http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime/ucf-chemistry-major-ran-meth-lab-police-say-804047.html]UCF”>http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime/ucf-chemistry-major-ran-meth-lab-police-say-804047.html)</p>
<p>that is so unbelieveably stupid I can’t imagine
All I have read about meth labs is that * highly toxic* & smelly- that is why they locate them in rural areas- not in DC!</p>
<p>
I think making meth anywhere is a pretty sure sign of stupidity. Not sure about the notion of qualifying stupid… stupider, stupidest… partial moron v. total moron?</p>
<p>At UMASS Lowell, too</p>
<p>[News</a> from DEA, Domestic Field Divisions, Boston News Releases, 09/30/10](<a href=“http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2010/boston093010.html]News”>http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2010/boston093010.html)</p>
<p>I’ve just read an extraordinary book by Nick Reding called “Methland” (one of last year’s NY Times Notable Books; a very worthwhile read). It’s a fairly exhaustive look at the impact of meth on the American heartland, and I don’t recall anything about meth being manufactured in dorm rooms. Though I was amazed to learn that some people actually manufacture it on mountain bicycles - they strap a soda bottle full of the necessary ingredients onto the bike and ride around to dispel the odor.</p>
<p>It’s obviously a horrendous drug, and extremely dangerous to manufacture. Reding says that only a 9th grade knowledge of chemistry is necessary (and I guess a corresponding level, or less, of common sense). Thank God no one on campus was injured.</p>
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</p>
<p>Well, at least he had hoods available!</p>
<p>Meth labs are not located strictly in rural areas. A few years ago, a meth lab located in our suburban community (in a very nice residential neighborhood a few blocks from my home) blew up. The people I know who live a few houses away had no idea that it was there.</p>
<p>Two months ago I was evacuated from a hotel room. The room directly above me had all the chemicals ready to make it, but they hadn’t started the process yet. The police said somebody tipped them off. We were out of the hotel for about three hours as they removed everything, and I did see them using some type of hand held device that measured whatever in the air to make sure it was safe to return. I am so glad they found this before the cooking process began immediately over my head!</p>
<p>My Mom used to live in a house in a nice suburb of Tacoma. She came home one day to find a house about a 1/3 way down the block strapped off with yellow tape and police cars surrounding it. She was shocked to find out it there was a meth lab in their garage.</p>
<p>Years back a neighborhood near my parents had their water supply fouled by a meth lab that was never located. It was all well water in the area, no town water supply, and the solvents seeped in and made it non potable.</p>
<p>Wow…just…wow. Thank goodness nobody got hurt.</p>
<p>The whole thing is crazy. We did find out later today that it wasn’t meth but DMT, but a hallucinogenic. Either way it was not the smartest plan. Harbin was my dorm freshman year. It’s nine floors but fairly small and close knit. There was no way you are going to get away with it.</p>
<p>Here’s the body of an email we received: </p>
<p>Dear Members of the Campus Community,</p>
<p>I am writing to update you on today’s evacuation of Harbin Hall. The evacuation has now ended and students are returning to the building. All residents remain safe and campus is operating normally.</p>
<p>As you may be aware, we evacuated Harbin Hall early this morning after the Department of Public Safety and District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to calls complaining of a strange odor on the 9th floor. Our actions today, as in any emergency situation, were directed by law enforcement authorities – in this case MPD and D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. We know that residents of Harbin Hall experienced inconveniences by not being able to access their living space for most of the day and we are grateful for their cooperation.</p>
<p>We appreciate the many friends and colleagues who worked to assist temporarily displaced students throughout the day. Provost O’Donnell has consulted with academic leaders on the Main Campus and asked for their help to support students whose weekend has been disrupted.</p>
<p>The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has confirmed that an illegal drug, Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), was being produced in one residence hall room and was the cause of today’s incident. Please know that the DEA has informed us that there was never a health risk to students in Harbin, including those on the same floor, beyond those who lived in the room. Hazardous materials experts have now removed all potential contaminants. </p>
<p>The use, production and distribution of illegal drugs are issues we take very seriously and are violations of the student code of conduct. MPD has arrested three individuals, two of whom are Georgetown undergraduates. They remain in police custody.</p>
<p>Law enforcement authorities continue to actively investigate this incident, with our close cooperation. If any member of the university community has information in connection with this incident, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 202-687-4343.</p>
<p>We appreciate the work of the many individuals, including the University’s emergency response team, who worked to meet the needs of students and ensure the safety of our community in responding to today’s incident.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Todd A. Olson, Ph.D.
Vice President of Student Affairs</p>