Tuesday night we kicked-off a series of 6 special reports detailing the different facets of Bay County's current "War on Meth".

When it comes to law enforcement efforts, the Bay County Sheriff's office has been on the front-lines.

So much so that other communities around the southeastern U.S. are looking to Bay County for help in dealing with their own meth problems.

But how has the war on meth has changed over the years?

Like any other illegal drug, meth production is becoming more difficult to detect.

That makes law enforcement's job tougher.

Bay County leads the state in meth lab busts.

Not because there are more labs here, but because Bay County has declared war on meth, and are policing it more than anywhere else.

Meth manufacturing isn't new.

And now that it's easier and more convenient for criminals to produce the problem has reached new heights.

Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen said, "Two or three months ago, four months ago we began experiencing these new shake and bake labs. We've never see before, and it seems like now within the last two or three months every time we turn around it's like self defense we're fighting it."

Bay County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit Captain Faith Bell added, "Right now we're all in a learning phase, and trying to put the fire out as quickly as possible."

Using the shake and bake method, meth manufacturers can easily get the everyday items they need, and they'll all fit in a back pack.

"When we say lab we're not talking about people in white coats in a dungeon with boiling pots. We're talking about a mere plastic bottle is a lab."

These new meth labs may be easier to move, but the shake and bake method could make meth manufacturing more dangerous than ever.

There has been one meth lab explosion after another, leading to dozens of arrests.

But the explosion that led to the most recent public outcry involved 1-year old Johna Osborne.

Sheriff's investigators say Johna was burned in august, when a shake 'n bake meth lab exploded.

Her father, John Osborne, is being charged in the case.

McKeithen said, "I think when the child was burned we all got caught up in that and certainly it was an eye opener for alot of people. It's something we've been seeing."

John Osborne and Johna's mother Tessa Wagy are charged with aggravated child abuse, manufacturing meth with harm to a child, and possession of listed chemicals.

Both are pleading not guilty.