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. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine