TORONTO OFFICIALS are taking "aggressive" steps to curb a city-wide plague of marijuana grow houses by using building code laws to ensure former drug homes are safe to live in. Two former drug houses, at 54 Chapeltown Cres. and 9 Eagle Point Rd. in Scarborourgh, have been deemed uninhabitable until their owners provide structural and environmental reports for review by city engineers.

Councillor Michael Del Grande said the move will help fight an "epidemic" of grow houses by forcing absentee landlords to take responsibility for illegal activities in their properties.

Del Grande is upset that some former drug houses are being "patched up and painted," turned into rooming houses whose residents have "no clue at all" of potential health risks.

Large black and white signs outlining the city's orders were erected on the lawns of both homes Friday as part of "a test" to get neighbours' response.

Del Grande favours the signs because they will not only "stare the owner right in the face," but also issue a "wake-up call" to neighbours that a weed lab operated under their noses.

The sign at Eagle Point Rd. disappeared Sunday.

Del Grande took down the sign at Chapeltown Cres. Monday because of sensitivity to neighbourhood concerns about a potential decline in overall property values. He said the signs served their purpose.

Indoor marijuana grow-ops are springing up in unprecedented numbers in homes across the GTA, police say.

It is estimated police know of over 1,000 grow houses.

Del Grande said while all levels of government admit there is a crisis, trying to get action "is like pulling teeth."

"We talk about how Afghanistan is so fractured and they can't get together and deal with the drug warlords," Del Grande said. "Well, are we any different? We have drug lords operating with immunity right here in our own back yard.

"It is a massive failure in democracy."

Toronto police have busted about 250 grow homes this year. Almost half were in Del Grande's Scarborough-Agincourt ward.

The 54 Chapeltown Cres. house was busted by drug squad officers Oct. 16. The Eagle Point Rd. home was raided Aug. 12.

Pam Coburn, executive director of licensing and standards for Toronto, said the city's role is to "determine that the property is safe to return to its intended uses."

Drug growers dig holes in basements in order to bypass hydro meters and steal electricity and this creates fire hazards and heightens the risk of electrocution, she said.

"There are concerns about heating, ventilation, fire booby traps and all kinds of residual chemicals, including mould," she said.

Coburn said city officials are "sensitive" to what area residents might think about the lawn signs and want to gauge reaction.