CHILDREN'S SAFETY COMES FIRST

Letter of the Day

Re: Ezra Levant's Nov. 6 column "Mouldy logic" about the
Drug-endangered Children Act.

Levant has completely missed the point of Alberta's new legislation,
which is to protect children exposed to an adult's involvement in
serious, and illegal, drug activity, such as manufacturing and trafficking.

It recognizes these children are victims of abuse and need our help.
The dangers of these environments are very real.

For example, exposure to toxic mould can weaken a child's immune system.

Other dangers include cancer, brain damage, poisoning and severe burns.

Our goal is to keep families together wherever possible, however,
sometimes we must remove children from their homes for their own safety.

We are not punishing these children, we are helping to ensure they
have every opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute
positively to our community.

Heather Forsyth

Alberta Minister of Children's Services