MINISTRY TAKES RISK SERIOUSLY

I wish to respond to an editorial that appeared in the March 16, 2007
edition of the Campbell River Mirror with respect to the estimated
number of children living in homes with grow ops.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development takes very seriously
any potential risk to a child, including grow-ops, and our laws ensure
that social workers are equipped to deal with any situation that they
are faced with. Our child welfare legislation provides a broad mandate
to protect children who may be at risk of harm, including those who
may be at risk due to drugs being produced in the home.

In cases such as grow ops, when contacted by police or fire
departments, we work co-operatively with these agencies and rely on
social workers to use their professional judgment to decide what
actions need to be taken. The provincial director of child welfare
consults with regional directors of child welfare regularly to discuss
how to best address child safety. I can assure your readers that the
Ministry does and will continue to take these matters very seriously.

Tom Christensen,

Minister of Children and Family Development