Summit County authorities are educating the public on the dangers of "one-pot" meth labs and the effects they have on families .

Appearing on the 1590 WAKR Ray Horner Morning Show, Summit County Sheriff's Inspector Bill Holland says these labs are shifting away from the "chemistry set" look and are commonly made in 2-liter bottles of  pop.

"The one-pots can be carried around in backpack, toted in the trunk of a car, so they're very portable, which is good for the meth cook and bad for law enforcement and the general public," Holland says.

On Wednesday, the Summit County Sheriff's Department was alerted about a Stow boy who showed up to school smelling like chemicals which eventually led to authorities finding a meth lab in the basement of the boy's home.

All five children living in the home were taken by Summit County Children's Services.

Holland says there is a distinct odor associated with meth labs that people should look out for.
 

"There's some very, very strong chemicals that are used to manufacture meth, things that are purchased in local hardware stores," he said.

"Some people describe the odor as cat urine, which is very pungent and easily detected."

Inspector Holland says a lot of times, the Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies get tips on these meth labs because of the smell.

Holland says the attraction for addicts to manufacture meth is that they make it to fuel their own addictions.

He says its important for law enforcers to educate the public, parents, school personnel and others on what to look for in regards to meth labs so people don't get injured.