NEW LEGISLATION AIMS TO PROTECT CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DRUG TRAFFICKING

More help is being made available to children of parents who operate
crystal methamphetamine labs and indoor marijuana grow operations.

Children's Services Minister Heather Forsyth introduced Bill 2, the
Drug Endangered Act (DECA) to deal with the increasing problem of
children being exposed to drug activities, Feb. 23 in the Alberta
Legislature.

"It's a very timely and long overdue legislation," said Ward Antoniuk,
co-chair of the Leduc Community Drug Action Committee. "Kids are our
biggest resource and we need to take a standpoint to protect them
against drug trafficking."

The proposed law -- a first for Canada -- if passed, is intended to
serve as a tool to help caseworkers and police rescue children
endangered by an adult's involvement in drug activity.

Under the proposed legislation, a police officer or caseworker that
believe a child is a drug endangered-child, would have the grounds to
make an application to a judge or peace officer to remove the child
from parental care.

"Exposing children to this type of drug activity is abuse and it won't
be tolerated in Alberta," said Forsyth, in a written statement. "We
have a responsibility to take action to protect these children and
that is what this legislation aims to do."

The government is hoping the legislation will get more people to
report this type of crime.

Leduc RCMP media spokesperson, Const. Deanna Haggerty said the RCMP
couldn't comment on the proposed legislation until it's passed as to
how it will help officers on the job.