MORE CALGARY CHILDREN SEIZED FROM GROW OPS

Family Services Praises Police For Protecting Kids

More than 60 per cent of all children seized from drug houses in
Alberta under the year-old Drug Endangered Children Act were in the
Calgary region. Alberta Children's Services figures show 23 of the 38
children apprehended under the act came from the Calgary area, which
includes Banff, Cochrane and High River.

The figures show that to Oct. 1, just 39.5 per cent of the children
came from elsewhere in Alberta, including Edmonton, rural areas and towns.

Calgary and Area Child and Family Services spokeswoman Dawn Delaney
said the numbers reflect the hard work being done by police and other services.

"I think the number really speaks highly to the effective work the
police are doing here in Calgary, following up tips, making use of
the (act) and cracking down on drug dens," Delaney said.

The Drug Endangered Children Act came into force in Alberta on Nov.
1, 2006, so police could charge parents of children found living in
grow ops or other drug houses, such as meth labs, with endangering
the life of a child.

It gives authorities the right to automatically seize the children
for up to two days without having to prove endangerment before a court.

Under the act, Calgary Child and Family Services workers have removed
children as young as one month.

In one case, four siblings were removed from their parents' grow op,
which smelled pungently of dope and had electrical wires -- used to
power the grow operation -- running through their rooms.

Others have been found sleeping in cots beside ventilation closets
that spilled out toxic fumes, while others had open access to the
rooms where the marijuana plants were growing.

A Calgary woman, 33, was charged under the act after she was
reportedly found in a Temple grow op with 780 plants and her newborn.

Her trial is set down for May.

Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart, who chairs the Stop Grow Ops Calgary
Coalition, called the legislation "a success from every aspect."

"It has led the way and saved the lives of children in these homes," she said.

The act is the first legislation of its kind in Canada and carries a
maximum fine of $25,000 and two years in jail.

Calgary police drug unit Staff Sgt. Monty Sparrow said the act could
have an effect because parents are very attached to their children.

"If you start taking children away from people, I would hope drug
dealers would reflect on their lifestyles and make decisions that are
positive for their children," he said.

Research has found that drug-endangered children are at high-risk for
chronic respiratory disorders, neurological damage, cancer and
physical, emotional and sexual abuse, police say. They are also at
greater risk from criminals entering their parents' home.

But Marc Emery said the act is unfair and designed to punish pot
people who have children.

"There's nothing wrong with having children around plants and plants
that are growing," said Emery, dubbed Canada's "Prince of Pot."

"It is an exciting time for them."