Pubdate: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Kelly Cryderman, CanWest News Service Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) ALTA. LAW TO SAVE KIDS FROM DRUG DENS RED DEER, Alta. -- In a new strategy against crystal-meth usage in Alberta, police will be able to lay child-abuse charges against parents who raise their kids in drug dens. The legislation, announced last night, will be the first of its kind in Canada. It will allow police to seize children whose parents expose them to illegal drug activity in the same manner as they now seize a child who is neglected or beaten. Parents may receive a fine or jail time for that offence alone. Every week social workers have to rescue children exposed to drug manufacturing or trafficking, said Premier Ralph Klein. "It involves not only crystal meth but crack cocaine and other harmful drugs," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom