Date: 2000-09-11
Publication: Jul 20, 1983 Bradenton Herald
A spokesman for the drug rehabilitation center said that the state attorney’s probe had cut into client recruiting.
JAY GREENE Herald Staff
Straight Inc., an area drug rehabilitation center recently investigated for alleged abuses against more than a dozen of its former juvenile clients, announced Tuesday it will close its Sarasota branch until further notice. In a prose conference at the Meadows in Sarasota, Straight Executive Director Bill Oliver said publicity surrounding State Attorney James Gardner’s investigation has made it almost impossible for the program to attract new clients.
Sarasota Straight’s 43 clients, who range in age from 14 to 22, will be transferred to the program’s St. Petersburg main office. Straight’s branch in Sarasota will remain open for administrative purposes only. The program treated as many as 120 clients during its heyday in 1982.
Oliver has asked that the investigation of Straight by Gardner and the state Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services be examined by HRS's inspector general.
"It seems that no matter how much we cooperate, we are unable to resolve the issues to everyone’s satisfaction", Oliver said. "An unfortunate result of this is that our Sarasota program has been completely disrupted, making it extremely difficult to maintain an effective therapeutic environment in Sarasota.
Oliver, who became director last summer after Gardner’s investigation began, said Straight could reopen tomorrow if everything is cleared up between the regulating agencies."
Last summer, Gardner began an investigation Into Straight that eventually led to a list of 18 separate charges against the drug program made by 20 former clients, their parents snd staff members.
The sworn depositons allege beatings, sleep deprivation, restricted diets, lack of privacy, periods of isolation, false imprisonment and physical and mental abuse.
Straight officials have denied any knowledge of abuse and claim that if they did occur, they violated company pollicy. Oliver said Straight officinls were aware of several problem areas in the Sarasota program late last year. Gardner said Tuesday he was both surprised and saddened by Straight’s decision to close it's Sarasota operation. He said his investigation intended to correct alleged violation of state statutes, not to close the program.
"The charges we received — of assaults, batteries, false imprisonment — are serious abuses," said Gardner. "I decided not to prosecute the staff of Straight, but to turn over the investigation to HRS for corrective action."
Dr. Robert Constantine, the HRS Fort Myers odminiistator, said he believed Straight had agreed to many of the policy changes. HRS, he said, was planning to issue Straight its annual drug treatment program license In September.
I was not happy with the news," Constantine said. "As a matter of courtesy, they chould have let us know that this was coming. We did this settlement with them in an upfront manner. We completcd all that work, and then they suspended operations and criticized the process we both agreed to follow."
Constantine said he will meet with HRS Inspector General Judy Lyons this week to discuss Straight’s complaint of an "ineffectve unusual, lengthy and confusing" review process. He said he disagreed with Straight’s opinion of the negotiations.
"I’m a little upset with some of their allegations," Constantine said. "I thought I was playing it straight with them from the beginning."
Last December Straight attempted to cool off Gardner’s investigation when it asked for the resignation of former director Hugh Burns. Oliver said Burns and Sarasota staff members lacked experience with Straight’s policy rules.
Burns, however, has told The Herald that he was fired because he disagreed with several of Straight’s policies. "As a caring and responsible person, I couldn’t do what they asked", Burns said.
At the Sarasota press conference, several Straight parents and board members gave their views on the investigation and the program. Sandy Nichols, a member of the Sarasota Straight board of directors, had harsh words for Gardner’s investigation. Nichols has had two children in the drug program.
"I’m deeply saddened over the outcome of all this," Nichols said. "It’s a travesty when government gets involved in family busines. I don’t like any interference from any outside agencies. To force a program that is saving the lives of young people to close is appalling."
Parents, Nichols said, should have the power to decide whether to place their children in a program and when to remove them.
According to state child abuse law, however, juveniles have the right to voluntarily enter or leave drug programs unless they are ordered in by a circuit judge.
Oliver said Straight understands the statt law giving juveniles rights but believes it unfair.
"We are workAng with several legislators to correct this problem," Oliver said. "The law, which was passed in the 50s, is seriously outdated. During the past few years we have been seeing 10 and 11-year-olds becoming drug dependent. These children are too young to make decisions for themselves."
Gardner, however, said children’s civi rights are important to maintain in order to prevent adults from using physical force against children.
"I’m going to wait for the dust to settle before I decide what, if any, action I may take," Gardner said. "it’s possible that I ma file criminal charges against individuals and Straight. Drug programs are important for a community standpoint, but we have to investigate complaints of abuse."