Kids from homes with grow-ops medically fit, says Toronto-based study

By: The Canadian Press, Reposted Winnipeg Free Press

TORONTO - A new study suggests children from homes where their parents produced drugs were largely found to be healthy themselves.

The Toronto-based research from the Motherisk Program at the Hospital for Sick Children questions the frequent seizure of children from those homes, as it found the kids to be medically fit with the majority showing no symptoms of exposure to illicit drugs.

Dr. Gideon Koren says the research shows that not all in-home drug operations can be considered the same and the decision to remove a child must be made on a case-by-case basis.

The study examined 75 children between 2006 and 2010 from Ontario's York Region — which had seen a spike in kids found at home-grown drug operations before the study began.

The York Region Children's Aid Society says while the findings are important, they need to be put into context.

Director Patrick Lake says the study only deals with medical risk and doesn't take into consideration parents being arrested, firearms being found in a home or potential domestic violence.

He says every effort is made to place a child with extended family, friends or even a teacher, but if a parent is arrested for producing drugs, the society usually has to step in. He also says that in the majority of cases, children taken into the society's care eventually return to their families.