Pubdate: Thu, 03 Sep 2009 Source: Calgary 24 Hours (CN AB) Copyright: 2009 Sun Media Corporation Contact: http://24hrs.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4976 Author: Katie Schneider, Staff Writer U OF C LAB BOLSTERS DRUG FIGHT As marijuana grow-ops infiltrate Alberta communities, a U of C professor is changing the way drug houses are cleaned up for future occupants by drafting the first provincial guidelines for air remediation. U of C Environmental Design professor Tang Lee led a project funded by the Alberta Real Estate Foundation investigating six former grow ops in the Calgary area looking for mould, electrical problems and alterations to its structure. While some communities have their own standards, including in Calgary and Edmonton, there are currently no guidelines for the province and if adopted, his recommendations will standardize the rehabilitation of former grow ops, he said. "There has to be some sort of standards in which the homeowner can use to remediate these houses so they can be safe for occupancy again - that's the whole objective," he said. Mould forms in homes from condensation during the marijuana growing process and also after first responders shut off electricity to dismantle the drug operation, he said. "What we are trying to do with standards is take a comprehensive look at what happens when a grow op has been seized and what can you do to mitigate some of those secondary damages as well." Bill Fowler, director of industry and government relations for Alberta Real Estate Association said while guidelines exist in some areas of the province, they are not consistent. Staff Sgt. Darren Cave with the police drug unit, said 80 to 100 marijuana drug ops are seized in Calgary each year and the guidelines would help raise awareness about the problem. "This is an illustration of how crime infiltrates all aspects of cities," he said. "If we can bring standards in, that only makes us all stronger in the battle against drug ops." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr