News (Media Awareness Project) - CN AB: More Than 100 Kids Taken Away From Drugs |
| Title: | CN AB: More Than 100 Kids Taken Away From Drugs |
| Published On: | 2009-04-19 |
| Source: | Edmonton Sun (CN AB) |
| Fetched On: | 2009-04-20 13:58:30 |
MORE THAN 100 KIDS TAKEN AWAY FROM DRUGS
Seized Since 2006 Legislation Gave Province Power
More than 100 kids have been apprehended from drug houses or drug
dealers in Alberta since the province introduced Canada's first
legislation to protect youngsters from such situations.
"Essentially, drug activity has been increasing - unfortunately,
innocent kids are often caught up in the middle of it," said Alberta
Children and Youth Services spokesman Lisa Elliot.
The legislation, enacted in November 2006, is designed to protect
children from parents or caregivers who put them at risk by drug
trafficking or manufacturing.
"It makes it clear, this is a form of child abuse, these kids need
protection," Elliott said.
Drug houses can expose children to toxic mould, pesticides and herbicides.
The cases are heartbreaking, said Delaney - toddlers in homes where
drugs are in easy reach, children sleeping in bedrooms with hanging
electrical wires and newborns found amid toxic levels of mould.
"Unfortunately, we've seen them as young as they come," Delaney said.
The law allows workers to take a child into custody for up to 48
hours. They can also apply for temporary guardianship, if needed.
More than half of the children seized are from the Calgary area.
"That's a huge number out of the Calgary region," said Child and
Family Services spokesman Dawn Delaney.
She said the Calgary numbers speak to good collaboration between
child welfare workers and police - and also the sheer volume of drugs.
In the first four months of 2009 alone police seized more than $28
million worth of pot plants in 37 grow-op busts in Calgary, compared
with all of 2005 when $68 million worth was seized.
The provides penalties of up to $25,000 in fines and/or imprisonment
of up to two years. However, there have been just nine charges laid
across the province and no convictions, according to Alberta Justice
statistics.
Still, child welfare workers say the act is working by getting kids
out of harm's way.
"Due to the fact we have apprehended 100-plus children provincially
to date, I do feel this legislation is achieving its intended goal,
removing children from unsafe environments," said Delaney.
Seized Since 2006 Legislation Gave Province Power
More than 100 kids have been apprehended from drug houses or drug
dealers in Alberta since the province introduced Canada's first
legislation to protect youngsters from such situations.
"Essentially, drug activity has been increasing - unfortunately,
innocent kids are often caught up in the middle of it," said Alberta
Children and Youth Services spokesman Lisa Elliot.
The legislation, enacted in November 2006, is designed to protect
children from parents or caregivers who put them at risk by drug
trafficking or manufacturing.
"It makes it clear, this is a form of child abuse, these kids need
protection," Elliott said.
Drug houses can expose children to toxic mould, pesticides and herbicides.
The cases are heartbreaking, said Delaney - toddlers in homes where
drugs are in easy reach, children sleeping in bedrooms with hanging
electrical wires and newborns found amid toxic levels of mould.
"Unfortunately, we've seen them as young as they come," Delaney said.
The law allows workers to take a child into custody for up to 48
hours. They can also apply for temporary guardianship, if needed.
More than half of the children seized are from the Calgary area.
"That's a huge number out of the Calgary region," said Child and
Family Services spokesman Dawn Delaney.
She said the Calgary numbers speak to good collaboration between
child welfare workers and police - and also the sheer volume of drugs.
In the first four months of 2009 alone police seized more than $28
million worth of pot plants in 37 grow-op busts in Calgary, compared
with all of 2005 when $68 million worth was seized.
The provides penalties of up to $25,000 in fines and/or imprisonment
of up to two years. However, there have been just nine charges laid
across the province and no convictions, according to Alberta Justice
statistics.
Still, child welfare workers say the act is working by getting kids
out of harm's way.
"Due to the fact we have apprehended 100-plus children provincially
to date, I do feel this legislation is achieving its intended goal,
removing children from unsafe environments," said Delaney.
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