Pubdate: Sun, 03 Mar 2013
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2013 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Nadia Moharib
Page 5

'NO GOOD FOR KIDS'

Two children were found home alone in a suspected illegal marijuana
grow op Saturday, after cops responded to a 911 hang-up call.

The call came in just about noon, but when the line was disconnected
police were dispatched to the Erin Woods home to determine there was
no one needing help.

"There were two young children in the house, aged 10 and 12, and no
adults and a marijuana grow op," Insp. Rick Tuza said.

Ron Cyr, who lives nearby figured there were skunks in his community
and even fortified his shed to keep the critters out.

"I noticed a skunk smell in the neighbourhood," he said as police
guarded the house a few doors down.

"The skunks will be going away now."

A little amused at his blaming the critters for an odour which may
have emanated from another source, Cyr said there is nothing funny
about what police believe they found.

"It's no good for kids," said the father of a teenage son.

"And it doesn't give them a good idea of how things are supposed to be
in the world."

The two siblings sat side-by-side in the rear of a cruiser until child
welfare workers whisked them away while police were looking for the
childrens' parents.

Green Team members were called in to assist in the investigation and
to get a search warrant to go inside the home.

"There is speculation a child might have been playing with the phone,"
Tuza said of the 911 hang up.

"There was no emergency, but obviously something wrong - why are
children home alone and the other question is, why is illegal activity
going on in the residence, something which can endanger the health of
children?"

It isn't the first time little ones have been found in grow ops, which
can be a breeding ground for toxic mould, are at times targets for
criminals, and can put children at risk chronic respiratory disorders
and other health issues.

In recent years, the province launched its Drug-endangered Children
Act (DECA) to give authorities the power to rescue children living in
homes with serious drug activity.

About three years later in 2009, more than 100 kids were taken from
their families under the legislation - a little more than half were
from the Calgary area.

DECA allows workers to take a child into custody for up to 48 hours
and if needed they can apply for temporary guardianship.

A conviction under DECA sees a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment for
as long as two years, or both.

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[sidebar]

Kids rescued from grow ops in Calgary and area:

Oct. 12, 2012: Four children under 12 years old taken at a $90,000
bust on Rundlecairn Rd. N.E., in what was originally a domestic
disturbance call.

March/Apr., 2012: Handicapped school-aged child found in one of three
raided homes on Copperfield Common, Somerglen Cl. and Bridlecrest Rd.
in the city's south, in a $5.5 million bust.

Apr. 2009: Stats are released stating more than 100 kids have been
taken from their families since Drug Endangered Children Act was
enacted three years earlier.

July 4, 2008: Three children, aged 2-11, taken at a $561,000 bust in
northwest Brooks.

Apr. 2, 2008: Four children, aged 8-15, taken from a Chestermere home
in the Springmere neighbourhood, in a 60-plant bust.

June, 2007: First charges laid under the Drug Endangered Children Act,
against the parents of an 18-month-old and a four-year-old taken at a
$1.5 million bust on Dec. 12, 2006.

Jan., 2007: Four children, aged 2-9, taken at a $716,250 bust on
Templeton Cir. N.E., with two of the kids in the home and two at
school when police arrived.

Nov. 1, 2006: Drug Endangered Children Act legislation goes into
effect, allowing the province the power to rescue children living in
homes with serious drug activity.

July 7, 2005: Two children found living in a full-scale, $2.3 million
grow operation as cops raid four Calgary homes and four Cochrane homes.

March 17, 2005: Two children taken at a $320,000 bust on Saddlecreek
Way N.E.

- - Damien Wood
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