U OF C LAB BOLSTERS DRUG FIGHT

As marijuana grow-ops infiltrate Alberta communities, a U of C
professor is changing the way drug houses are cleaned up for future
occupants by drafting the first provincial guidelines for air
remediation.

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
alterations to its structure.

While some communities have their own standards, including in Calgary
and Edmonton, there are currently no guidelines for the province and
if adopted, his recommendations will standardize the rehabilitation of
former grow ops, he said.

"There has 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.

"What we are trying to do with standards is take a comprehensive look
at what happens when a grow op has been seized and what can you do to
mitigate some of those secondary damages as well."

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.

Staff Sgt. Darren Cave with the police drug unit, said 80 to 100
marijuana drug ops are seized in Calgary each year and the guidelines
would help raise awareness about the problem.

"This is an illustration of how crime infiltrates all aspects of
cities," he said. "If we can bring standards in, that only makes us
all stronger in the battle against drug ops."