Pubdate: Fri, 10 Nov 2006
Source: Leduc Representative (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Leduc Representative
Contact:  http://www.leducrepresentative.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2265
Author: Tarwinder Rai

NEW LAW AIMED TO PROTECT CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DRUGS

A new law that went into effect earlier this month gives child 
intervention caseworkers and police the authority to remove children 
exposed to serious drug activity from their homes.

A new law that went into effect earlier this month gives child 
intervention caseworkers and police the authority to remove children 
exposed to serious drug activity from their homes. According to the 
Drug-endangered Children Act, children who are found in these 
situations are defined as being victims of abuse and need protection.

Furthermore, the law is a response to previous research by the 
government that revealed children found in these homes are at high 
risk for: chronic respiratory disorders, neurological damage, cancer 
and physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

The legislation, announced in early March, officially came into 
effect Nov. 1, and is hoped to increase the number of people who 
report this type of child abuse.

The law, a first of its kind in Canada, is a welcomed ruling for the 
Leduc Drug Action Committee.

"It's long overdue," said Ward Antoniuk, co-chair of the Leduc Drug 
Action Committee. "Children that are in a situation where drugs are 
being manufactured are in a situation where their safety is at risk.

"It's very apparent (these children) need to be apprehended from that 
residence and be put into a safe place."

The legislation deals with specific drug activity, such as 
trafficking and manufacturing -- particularly crystal methamphetamine 
(meth) labs and indoor marijuana grow operations.

"Meth labs are highly volatile and drug trafficking brings in the 
criminal aspect. Once a criminal aspect is involved, then the 
children of those families are at risk. If some sort of drug deal 
goes wrong or a drug dealer is targeted by an organized criminal 
gang, they might go after the children," he explained.

But for Antoniuk, while taking the children away is a step in the 
right direction, he believes that while these children are in 
custody, parents should be given the opportunity to clean up their 
act and get their children back.

"It's an obvious no brainer that we need to secure the child, but we 
need to work with the parents also," he explained, adding parents 
should be required to take some sort of counselling program.

"These kids are being abused and they need our protection," said 
Heather Forsyth, minister of children's services in a written 
statement. "The issue of children being exposed to the dangers of 
drug manufacturing and trafficking is becoming more and more common. 
The Drug-endangered Act will ensure we are able to respond to these 
situations and keep more children safe."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine