Pubdate: Wed, 04 Oct 2006
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Kevin Diakiw

GROW-OP KIDS SMALL PORTION OF 9,100 CASES

More than 9,000 children in this region were reported as "at-risk" to 
the provincial Ministry of Children and Family Development last year.

The incidents range from children left abandoned in cars to far more 
serious accounts.

Ministry officials say the number gives perspective to calls from 
Surrey's new anti-pot grow op team. The Leader reported last week 
that inspections of homes suspected to be grow ops revealed 155 kids 
living in "hazardous conditions" last year. The ministry was notified 
in each instance, and officials say all calls were investigated, but 
can't reveal if any children were taken into provincial protection.

Opposition MLAs want to know what happened to the kids, and suggest 
the financially stretched ministry is unable to handle the extra call 
volume created by grow op inspections and raids.

Ministry figures are divided by region, with the Fraser area 
including all municipalities south of the Fraser River to Hope, along 
with Maple Ridge and Port Coquitlam.

The 467 child protection workers in this region received 9,158 calls 
in the last year, a ministry spokesperson said, noting 1,600 of those 
calls came from police.

Of the total calls, 935 children were removed from their homes and 
placed with relatives or put in foster care. Houses used for grow ops 
usually contain hazardous wiring, mould and other dangers that could 
place children at risk.

A ministry spokesperson said the government is addressing the high volume.

Early last year, the ministry launched a recruiting drive, with an 
objective of hiring 100 more child protection workers in each of the 
next three years.

Observers feel the regional numbers of reported cases will rise, as 
the Surrey grow op team doubles in size, and other municipalities 
emulate the effective initiative.

Under the program, B.C. Hydro provides the addresses for homes with 
extraordinary electricity consumption - a common feature of grow ops. 
Firefighters respond and inspect the houses.

With the team doubled, Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis believes his crews 
will inspect a backlog of 1,100 homes.

That means more than 400 more children could be found if the current 
rate of families involved in grow ops continues. In addition, other 
municipalities, including Delta, Langley, Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows and 
Richmond are considering similar campaigns.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine