PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM PARENT'S DRUG INVOLVEMENT

A new Alberta law has been passed to help protect children exposed to
serious drug activity. The Drug-endangered Children Act comes into
effect on November 1 and is the first of its kind in Canada.

Children who are exposed to an adult's involvement in serious drug
activity, including trafficking and manufacturing, are considered
victims of abuse and require protection.

Drug activity is increasing throughout the province, leaving many
innocent children caught in the middle of a terrible situation. These
dangerous situations, such as methamphetamine labs and indoor
marijuana growth operations, are a damaging physical and social
environment for the children to be in.

According to a government website, a variety of health and safety
risks include the following:

* inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of toxic chemicals

* fires and explosions

* abuse and neglect

* medical problems such as chronic respiratory problems, neurological
damage and cancer

"Evidence presented from doctors and police officers show an
increasing number of cases where children have been seriously hurt,"
said Lisa Nisbet, Public Affairs Officer for Alberta Children's
Services. "There are cases of accidental overdoses, burns as a result
of meth labs, and problems with breathing from inhaling toxic
chemicals."

The law allows for child intervention caseworkers and police to
rescue and protect children based solely on the fact they are drug-
endangered. Children in these types of environments are at high risk
to be physically, emotionally and sexually abused so Nisbet said that
if need be, the children may actually be removed altogether.

"There are so many harmful effects," Nisbet said. "The children are
obviously not always their (those involved in drug activity) first
priority. The kids are being neglected. We have to protect these
children."

The new legislation will also hopefully raise awareness of the
problems facing drug-endangered children and increase the amount of
reports about this type of abuse.'