GOVERNOR SIGNS BILLS ON METH PRODUCTION

Procedures Added For Cleaning Drug Site Contaminants

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed legislation designed to deal with
the aftermath of making and using methamphetamine.

The 12-bill package, signed last week and filed with the secretary of
state Thursday, requires the state to develop new procedures for
cleaning up makeshift sites contaminated by methamphetamine production.

It also prohibits people from using Web sites to give instructions to
make the illegal drug, and adds meth exposure to the definition of
child abuse. Advertisement

"For the first time, we can now charge those who expose children to
the dangers of methamphetamine production with child abuse - because
that's what it is," Granholm said in a statement.

One bill requires the state Department of Community Health to post on
its Web site the location of the meth labs.

Others let the state attorney general sue people who have Web sites
that give instructions on how to make meth, and make it a felony to
sell a product containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine via mail,
phone or Internet.

Meth - a highly addictive drug - can be made with common household
products, including cold medicine that has pseudoephedrine.

It's a growing problem in many parts of Michigan and in several other states.

The state already has a law that allows only consumers 18 and older
to buy Sudafed, Claritin-D and other nonprescription products
containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient used to
produce methamphetamine.

Adult customers are limited to buying two packages or no more than 48
tablets per visit and must show photo ID to make the purchase.