GROW-OP RISKS TAKEN SERIOUSLY

I wish to respond to a story that appeared in the March 9 edition of
The Leader with respect to grow ops and the Ministry of Children and
Family Development.

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