DRUG-ENDANGERED CHILDREN MUST COME FIRST

Four years ago Alberta became the first province in Canada to
institute legislation allowing police to remove children from homes
where drugs were being abused. At the time, the hope was the new law
would convince parents and guardians to do the right thing by keeping
drug activities well away from children.

Under the Drug-Endangered Children Act caseworkers and police can
apprehend any young person they deem to be endangered by the drug
activities of the child's parent or guardian.

The act defines a dangerous drug environment as any place where
crystal methamphetamine is being made, marijuana is being grown, or
where illegal drugs are being sold.

If within two days the child cannot be safely returned to the
offending parent or guardian, the young person automatically falls
under the authority of the Alberta Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.

However, four years after the act was implemented, some Alberta
parents and guardians still haven't gotten the easy-to-understand
message that it's downright stupid and dangerous to have drug
activity around children.

Just last week, three Calgary children were taken from their home and
placed in protective custody when their 33-year-old father was
allegedly caught dealing cocaine and marijuana from the family home.

Now those children's lives have been thrown into disarray, probably
forcing them to miss school and taking them away from their friends
all because some idiot doesn't know the difference between right and wrong.

The government says, rightly, that drug activities endanger young
people in many ways, including by exposing them to the risk of fires
and explosions, abuse and neglect, or the inhalation, absorption and
ingestion of toxic chemicals and substances.

As well, children in drug environments all too often suffer poor
nutrition, lack of medical or dental care, poisoning, burns, stress
and anxiety, internal organ damage, chronic respiratory problems,
neurological damage, and cancer.

"Drug activity is increasing throughout our province and innocent
children are being found in places where drugs are being produced or
sold," provincial officials said when the Drug-Endangered Children
Act was implemented. "It will ensure we are able to respond to this
emerging social issue."

While a few grossly misguided drug users and dealers may feel that
the government has no place in the family home, right thinking
Albertans believe the health and welfare of children should and must
take precedence over the wishes of drug offenders, each and every time.

West Central Alberta residents who believe a child they know may be
in danger from drug activity should call the Child Abuse Hotline at
1-800-387-5437 or Crime Stoppers.