Redemption centers across Maine, including Brewer Redemption Center in Brewer, have become extremely cautious about handling bottles.

BREWER, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — The Maine Department of Human Safety is telling people to avoid picking up bottles from the side of the road or outdoor sites due to them possibly containing methamphetamine.

Six months into 2016, The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency has responded to 30 more methamphetamine incidents than it did in all of 2015. The majority of those incidents were in Aroostook and Penobscot counties. The agency’s biggest concern hasn’t necessarily been meth labs found in homes — they have also seen an increase in meth dump sites. Those sites contain plastic bottles that have been used for making what drug agents call “shake and bake” meth. It creates a disposable meth lab which can harm an innocent person picking up a bottle.

Redemption centers across Maine, including Brewer Redemption Center in Brewer, have become extremely cautious about handling bottles. Airianne Hatt is the Co-Owner of the redemption center in Brewer. “It’s scary to think about because its just so readily available,” Hatt said. “We let the customer know, this isn’t something we can purchase due to the toxins that are in it, chemicals that are in it, just to keep everyone safe”

Public Safety commissioner John Morris says the bottles would be filled with a white residue and would be extremely dangerous to anyone that touches it. If you feel you have come across one of these containers you are asked not to touch it and contact police.