Kivela introduces legislation to combat meth epidemic

LANSING — State Representative John Kivela introduced new legislation today aimed at the meth epidemic plaguing the U.P. and other parts of the state.

The current law in place regarding the sale of, pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in meth, allows buyers to purchase more than they can use, as prescribed by the packaging of the medication. Pseudoephedrine is found in over the counter decongestants and antihistamines such as Sudafed, Claritin D and other sinus and allergy medications.

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Kivela’s new legislation would dial back the monthly limit of how much a person can buy. It would also implement a yearly cap of an eight and a half month rather than a full year supply. Kivela said those purchasing higher amounts are primarily cooking meth.

“Clearly we have an ongoing problem and so this legislation is really aimed at preventing access to the key ingredient,” Kivela said. “That’s really what it’s about. I’m a firm believer that we’re not going to criminalize this away. We don’t need to put people in jail, perhaps. So this is really aimed at preventing the crime in the first place.”

The legislation would cut the amount available by forty-five percent. Kivela is the primary sponsor and he anticipated that the other U.P. representatives as well as those in the southeastern part of the Lower Peninsula would co-sponsor the bill.