LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Sen. Margaret O’Brien of Portage is applauding passage of a couple of bills that aim to reduce the spread of methamphetamine use in the state.
The Republican authored one of the bills, specifically the one which makes it illegal to solicit someone to buy medicine with pseudoephedrine to make methamphetamine.
She was compelled to pen that legislation after seeing the drug’s effects in southwest Michigan, where a legislative report authored by the Michigan State Police says the bulk of manufacture sites were found last year.
“My interest in the fight against methamphetamine started over 10 years ago, and I’ve continued in looking at ways to partner with my colleagues in making sure that we’re working together in this fight,” O’Brien said.
However, O’Brien, a seasonal allergy suffer, also said she would not support a total ban of pseudoephedrine down the road.
“We know the difference between pseudoephedrine Sudafed and non-pseudoephedrine Sudafed, and the non-pseudoephedrine stuff just doesn’t work,” O’Brien said.
The other bill passed last week increases penalties for those caught cooking near schools and libraries.
– Anthony Pollreisz