GROW-OP FIXES PROPOSED

A U of C professor hopes to change the way drug houses are cleaned up
by drafting the first provincial remediation guidelines.

U of C Environmental design professor Tang Lee led a project funded by
the Alberta Real Estate Foundation investigating six former grow-ops
in the Calgary area looking for mould, electrical problems and
structural alterations.

While Calgary has its own standards, there are currently no guidelines
for the province and if adopted, his recommendations will standardize
the rehabilitation of former grow-ops, he said.

"There have to be some sort of standards in which the homeowner can
use to remediate these houses so they can be safe for occupancy again
- -- that's the whole objective," he said.

Mould forms in homes from condensation during the marijuana growing
process and also after first responders shut off electricity to
dismantle the drug operation, he said.

Bill Fowler, director of industry and government relations for Alberta
Real Estate Association said while guidelines exist in some areas of
the province, they are not consistent.

"We want our clients to know that the home they are buying is safe,"
he said, adding the board will propose the standards to government.

Staff Sgt. Darren Cave with the police drug unit, said 80 to 100
marijuana drug ops are seized in Calgary each year.

"This is an illustration of how crime infiltrates all aspects of
cities -- their presence is felt in every community," he said.