Pubdate: Thu, 27 May 2010 Source: Packet & Times (CN ON) Copyright: 2010 Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.orilliapacket.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397 Page: 9 Author: Julie Langpeter CHILDREN AND DRUG OPERATIONS DON'T MIX Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop is introducing a private member's bill that would make it a crime to expose children to illegal drugs and their manufacture. Right now, Children's Aid Societies can step in and provide care for children who police find while conducting drug investigations and raids. But this proposed legislation would give the justice system further ammunition to deal with parents and caregivers who are putting children in danger. Judges could fine an offender or sentence them to extra jail time if it were made a crime for children to live in the toxic atmosphere of a home where drugs are being produced. Police say that the presence of children can add legitimacy to a drug house, because nothing says family home like the presence of children frolicking on the lawn or walking back and forth to school every day. For the average law-abiding citizen, it is inconceiveable that anyone would put a child at the sort of risk found in a drug house. Chemicals in the air and atmosphere, along with the risk of fire are obvious physical dangers. The people who are coming in and out of the home are likely not the type to have the best interest of children at heart. In addition though, when a child grows up and sees all around them that the creation and use of illegal drugs is the norm, their concept of the world is skewed. It would be difficult for a child to overcome the ethical lapses ingrained in them by their guardians. While statistics for our area are not available, York police say there were 113 cases of children living in illegal grow-operations there in the past year alone. That shows the problem is a large one and needs more judicial attention than it is getting now. It is unproven that stiffer penalties deter criminals, but providing the judicial system a heavier stick to wield to protect children can do no harm. When children are found in drug houses, the whole family structure comes into question and both the parents and the children need extensive help in order to give the kids a chance at a successful future in the world. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart