Take More Kids!

May 27, 2010 permalink

Conservative MPP Garfield Dunlop, representing Simcoe North (Barrie) wants operating a marijuana grow-op to be a reason to take children from their parents. Did you think by supporting Conservative candidates you were supporting family values? A real family advocate would be looking for ways to keep families together, not finding new reasons to break them up.

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Child abuse bill would protect kids from grow-ops

By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, Queen's Park Bureau Chief, Last Updated: May 26, 2010 12:18pm

Toronto Police Supt. Ron Taverner (left), Tory MPP Garfield Dunlop and Orangeville Police Chief Joe Tomei (right) announce their support for Tory MPP Garfield Dunlop's private members bill that would consider kids growing up in marijuana grow-ops victims of child abuse.

(ANTONELLA ARTUSO/Toronto Sun)

Exposing a youngster to illegal drug production such as a marijuana grow-op would be considered child abuse under an Ontario private member's bill to be introduced next week.

Conservative MPP Garfield Dunlop, with the support of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) is proposing to amend the existing child protection law to add "drug endangered children" as a category in need of protection.

Toronto Police Service Superintendent Ron Taverner, chair of OACP's Substance Abuse Committee, said Wednesday that the legislation would give police officers and child protection workers an additional legal tool to respond to the presence of children in grow-ops, meth labs and other places where illegal drugs are manufactured and trafficked.

"These children are drug endangered because they are exposed to toxic fumes which could lead to chronic respiratory disorder, neurological damage and even cancer," Taverner said. "They're exposed to the potential fire hazards... Some are exposed to violent crime and even organized crime."

York Regional Police Service Supt. Wayne Kalinski said children found in these situations are currently removed but may go back to the same family later without any legal repercussions for the people who put them in danger's way.

Dunlop said he'll introduce his private member's bill Monday.

Source: Toronto Sun