Simple question

How do you know if it's drugs or not? ~~ smoking them or making them?

I have no experience with drugs
We have radiator steam heat, so it's not through air ducts.
We share a share common wall upstairs and down. We're the only two unit attached so it's no one else.
Recently there is a horrid burning "something" in the air
Eyes, nose, throat lungs all burn awful - hurts to breathe
I've lived here 8 months, them 6 months, never used to be any smoke till a few weeks ago
Thought they must have had company over and they were smoking cigarettes... it's the wrong smell for that and it's AWFUL at night and it lasts for hours. I've never spoken to them, I know they have a girl, my daughter's age, they take the bus together, but that's all I know, I mind my own business and never paid any attention, I couldn't even tell you what car they drive. Sad I know, but it's not my business so why pay attention... I think it's 2 cars, but, it could be a van too... I really don't know, and no I can't look now they're gone, but the smoke is thick again.
I have 4 industrial metal fans blowing in every room with a common wall, and we're all getting headaches and complaining of the burning. We all have headaches now everyday, we're a lot crabbier than usual, & it's all of us, not just once in awhile, we're skipping meals cause we're either nausea or sleeping, wake up late and groggy, nap during the day and crash at night. We're all Night Owls, but lately we're all falling asleep around 5 - 7 pm sometimes before we even have supper and we're gone for the night. Not healthy - I have 5 children under the age of 12 only 1 leaves for public school, I have two that are homeschooled and 2 toddlers and anyone with kids knows that's not normal - I'm even konking out. Tried fighting it one night, sat in my office with a fan and I couldn't read the computer screen (I'm almost there now, but I at least know how to type so I'm hoping there aren't many typos.) So there are 5 of the 7 of us here just about 24/7.
My husband is out of town and hasn't been here since this started, it seems to be happening more often now. I can't just open the windows, it's -10*F nights with the wind chill and we're lucky to get above freezing during daylight hours.
Anyone please who can "guide" me into distinguishing odors or scents.
I'm going to have to complain to the property mgmt and landlord regardless, cause our lease says no smoking within the living areas, it says we can smoke in our kitchen with the door closed and the windows open or go outside. Their kitchen is on the other side of the building, we don't have that as a common wall. Making matters worse we've all got asthma, and this just isn't cool.
Please I don't want us to keep inhaling the air if it's drugs and I'm starting to get scared it might be one of those meth labs or something similar. How do I know? What other drugs could it be? Being stoned/high, whacked out, or Blowing up, burning up and or dying aren't on our dance cards this year, please educate me before I totally freak!!
Thank you in advance!

Call your landlord and tell him that you smell smoke. Tell him how long it has been affecting your household. Ask him to look into it right away.

There is another thread on this site that talks about a similar complaint. Sorry, I don't know how to put the link on here. Find it.

Hello scared:

I'd be scared too...

However, I think it's burning wires. And, I think you should get it checked out pretty quick.

It could be drugs, of course, but I don't think so for the following reasons:

People don't cook meth in a condo or apartment, unless they're absolutely nuts. Now, it's true, most meth heads ARE nuts... But there's more. Cooking or smoking meth wouldn't result in the burn you feel. You wouldn't see smoke in the air, and it wouldn't smell like smoke. For sure wouldn't see it when they weren't there like you said you did. You wouldn't feel sleepy. You'd feel awake and alert. And, if they're JUST smoking, I don't think it would penetrate the walls. I also think you'd notice your neighbors being up ALL night long.

Ok, that's my opinion. But, I can't smell it.

In any case, what are you going to do about it? That's really the question here, isn't it? You need to find out what it is. Then, you can fix it. You don't need to jump to conclusions.

Ok, if you live in a condo, then you have a homeowners association and a management company. If you live in an apartment, you have a landlord. You also can walk over there and ask them to stop whatever it is they're doing. If that doesn't work for you, get your landlord or your HOA president, or the management company to address your concerns.

It's THEIR responsibility to handle these kinds of things anyway. Once you hand it off to them, don't let 'em drop the ball.

excon

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/criminal-law/fear-neighbors-smoking-meth-their-condo-leaks-into-home-172213.html#post832657

This is the link to what another lady's problem with the horrible stench that lived in a condo. Read this and see if this helps. If not, come back and ask some more questions about them.

I think they are smoking crack or making it. Contact the local police and invite them over the next time you smell this horrible stench and explain to them you think it's drugs until they tell you otherwise.

Ex - if it was burning wiring in the condo, it would not just stop after a few hours. The person would have zero lights or very dim lighting. The walls would be warm to the touch as well and not magically cease when neighbors not at home.