Pubdate: Thu, 22 Nov 2007
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Elise Stolte

SIX CHILDREN SEIZED FROM DRUG DEN

EDMONTON - Six children were apprehended and a 13-year-old girl was 
charged with drug possession after Bonnyville RCMP searched a family 
home Tuesday.

RCMP found 37 grams of crack cocaine and about $2,000 cash in the home.

A 68-year-old man and two women, ages 24 and 45, have been charged 
with possession for the purpose of trafficking. The women are mothers 
of the children whose ages are 17, 15, 13, 13, 11 and the youngest, 
who's still in diapers, looked about a year old, said Staff Sgt. Dave Elliott.

Although the amount of cocaine is small when compared to 
kilogram-sized loads coming into Edmonton, it's a significant bust in 
a town the size of Bonnyville, said Elliott. "In a small town, 
getting the dealer can have a big impact."

Bonnyville is 240 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.

Getting the children out of the home was especially important, he 
added, pointing to the violence that often surrounds people addicted 
to and dealing drugs. Also children will breathe the second-hand 
smoke when crack cocaine is used, and being around role models who 
are users isn't healthy.

"What choices are these children going to make?" Elliott said.

"These kids aren't allowed to be kids."

The children were all apprehended under the Provincial 
Drug-Endangered Children Act. They have been taken into provincial custody.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman