SOUND REASONING

You may not like the conclusions of a recent study by Motherisk, which
suggests children found in homes containing cannabis growing
operations should not automatically be torn from their families, but
there is nothing questionable about their reasoning.

According to a study on the characteristics of cannabis grow ops in
British Columbia, 2.1 per cent contain hazards like booby traps,
explosives and dangerous chemicals, 3.5 per cent cause fires and 5.9
per cent contain firearms - well below the national household average.

Cannabis plants and large amounts of cash may attract thieves, but no
one has suggested automatically seizing children from homes containing
valuable items attractive to thieves, nor homes where agricultural
chemicals and firearms are securely stored.

These situations should be treated on a case-by-case basis, keeping in
mind the trauma of being forcefully removed from a family home and the
abysmal track record of child protection services in Canada.

Matthew M. Elrod, Victoria, B.C.