GROW-OP KIDS PROTECTED

In response to an item that appeared in the Sept. 29 edition of the
Surrey Leader, I feel it's important to clarify some points - and in
the case of comments attributed to NDP Opposition members - correct
their misinformation.

The article "Grow-op Kids - What Happened?" suggests Surrey's new
grow-op inspection team found 155 children living in dangerous homes last year.

When police or the fire department identify a situation, such as a
grow-op that may pose a risk to a child, we work in cooperation with
those agencies. We respond, assess and take the appropriate course of
action. Every situation in which a child may be at risk is unique and
the response to each situation is based on the circumstances and
potential risk of each child.

To suggest - as Opposition members have - that these children are not
being protected is not only inaccurate, it's ill-informed and does a
real disservice to the hard-working front-line staff of the ministry.
Likewise, their suggestion of budget cuts to front-line staffing
levels is inaccurate, as these numbers are actually being bolstered.
The ministry is in the process of hiring 100 front-line staff this
year and an additional 300 new front-line employees over the next two
years to provide us with added flexibility at the community level.

Tom Christensen

Minister of Children and Family Development