Meth Busters Incorporated: A Beacon of Hope in Methamphetamine Contamination Remediation

In recent years, the issue of drug contamination in residential properties, particularly the presence of methamphetamine residues, has become a pressing concern for many communities, especially Indigenous reserves and municipalities. This problem not only poses health risks to occupants, especially children, but also has far-reaching implications for property values, community safety, and environmental well-being. The increasing number of abandoned and contaminated properties, primarily due to drug use, has left many communities grappling with the complex challenge of remediation and revitalization. Meth Busters Incorporated (MBI) is focused on offering a comprehensive and effective solution to the pressing issue of methamphetamine contamination. I founded MBI in 2020 in Pinehouse Lake, Saskatchewan, to address this critical issue head-on. By combining environmental stewardship, technical expertise, and a commitment to fostering economic development, MBI is participating in the revitalization of neglected properties and the restoration of community homes—and the subsequent well-being of the tenants—in northern Saskatchewan. I am excited to share the story of MBI—exploring its origins, unique approach, challenges, and positive impact on Indigenous communities. By recounting MBI’s journey and strategies, I hope to shed light on innovative strategies for addressing the challenges posed by drug contamination, thereby contributing to the broader landscape of Indigenous economic development. I grew up in the small community of Pinehouse Lake in northern Saskatchewan, a beautiful community nestled on the shores of the Churchill River system. I grew up in an era and place where domestic violence was rampant and alcoholism abounded: because of this, the career options available to me were not very inviting, and my personal outlook was confused. However, my Mom taught me one important thing: “persevere, never back down!” To achieve this, I endeavored to be the best at whatever I tried. At 15, I suspended my colonial learning to fish commercially for my Uncle. This provided my first lesson in finance–don’t work without a written contract or a fire extinguisher because you’ll get burned! At 17, I went back at school. There were only two of us in my program and we were placed in a mezzanine-style upper deck in the library: the ceiling was 6 feet high, and I was 6’2”. There was no teacher, only mailed documents for me to read and learn from. I decided I wasn’t going to let the principal determine what my education would be. I grabbed a pen and began writing about how the correspondence environment—and its lack of teachers—would affect my life and limit my career options. I had researched the school division and knew they had funding for students like me to attend classes elsewhere with real teachers. When the principal later came crashing up the stairwell, beet red with anger, I knew someone in Regina had heard me. He let me have it, mentioning my letter and screaming, “You have no right to do that!” I didn’t know then that the Director of Education had just got off the phone with him. So, at 17, I learned an important life lesson: the power of the pen. Two years later, I graduated from Churchill Community High School in La Ronge, SK. Through research and study, I became who I needed to be to excel. I have worked in senior government, private industry management, and construction and my three post-secondary certificates in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental and Radiation Sampling and Monitoring, and Radiation Technology were all earned while working a full-time job. The project management skills I acquired have been an asset in addressing the multifaceted challenges of methamphetamine contamination and the regulatory regime of the province and its key players. Ultimately, my academic …