Pubdate: Wed, 24 Nov 2010
Source: Barrie Examiner (CN ON)
Copyright: 2010, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2317
Author: Nathan Taylor

DUNLOP'S BILL TARGETS 'DRUG-ENDANGERED' KIDS

A local MPP's effort to better protect "drug-endangered children" has 
passed second reading.

Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop's private member's bill, Bill 84, 
would amend the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA), which "is not 
strong enough to protect drug-endangered children," he said.

The bill unanimously passed second reading last week at Queen's Park.

The bill would amend the CFSA "by clearly identify drugendangered 
children as a new category of children in need of protection; 
classifying the act of drug endangering a child as child abuse, which 
would automatically, under the CFSA, make this behaviour an offence 
punishable by a sentence of up to two years, a fine of up to $2,000, 
or both; and including exposure of a child to the production and 
trafficking of all illegal drugs listed in Canada's Controlled Drugs 
and Substances Act."

"We have to do everything possible to protect children who are 
endangered by illegal drug activities. They are being raised in 
dangerous environments where their health, well being and safety are 
being threatened," Dunlop said. "We also need to give police and 
child-protection workers the tools they need to do their jobs more 
effectively, and that is exactly what my bill will do."

In a news release, Robert Herman, chief of the Thunder Bay Police 
Service and president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police 
(OACP), expressed his support for the bill "because it addresses our 
concerns regarding legislative changes needed to protect 
drugendangered children, including those exposed to trafficking activities.

"The OACP believes that the status quo is not good enough for 
vulnerable children growing up in homes where marijuana, crystal meth 
or other illegal drugs are produced and often trafficked."
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