Date: 2000-09-11
Publication: April 1 1983 - Sarasota Herald Tribune
By MARK ZALOUDEK Herald-Tribune Reporter
State Attorney James A. Gardner has turned over a report critical of a local drug rehabilitation program to the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, rather than go to court.
After a year-long investigation culminating in sworn testimony from more than 50 persons, Gardner said Straight Inc., 1401 Cattleman Road, will have to straighten up or it could face an injunctlon, temporarily halting its Operation.
Gardner’s report repeats criticism that has been leveled against the rehabllltation program in the past: excessive physical abuse of teenagers, persons signed into the program under duress and then held against their will.
"We hope they will comply with HRS and we won’t have to go to court. However, that’s not being ruled out," Gardner said.
"The drug situation in this community is a serious one. Our hope is they will provide meaningful, lawful help in this community. We’re not trying to close them down," he added.
Robert Constantine, adminstrator of the HRS-District VIII office in Fort Myers, said he recently received the bulk of Gardner’s investigation - more than 300 typed pages of depositions. Constantine said he has arranged to meet with Straight’s executive director, Bill Oliver, in two weeks to discuss corrective actions.
"If we can do that it will be a lot easier and more productive than fighting with them over the truth of any of the accusations," Constantine said.
The HRS awarded the Sarasota-Manatee branch of Straight a license to operate In 1980. Since then, the local program, along with its branches in St. Petersburg, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Fairfax County, Va., has been embroiled in frequent controversy. A Virginia man filed a $750,000 lawsuit against Straight Inc. in December charging "outrageous and unconscionable conduct" when he claims he was held against his will for 5½ months at the St. Petersburg and Virginia facilities.
Local parents and students have routinely contacted the Herald-Tribune and complained of mistreatment from Straight, although other parents call the program’s hardball style of rehabilitation a lifesaver and point to their drug-free children.
Oliver and staff psychologist Dr. Miller Newton are chiefly responsible for Straight’s operations. Christopher Yarnold was named acting-director of the Sarasota branch in December after Dr. Hugh Burns unexpectedly resigned after 18 months with the program.
Constantine said the state attorney’s complaints will be handled administratively. "If they (Straight officials) don’t agree there’s a problem or don’t want to correct it, the next step would be to hold a formal hearing to revoke their license."
Gardner said he has not given HRS a deadline to ensure corrections have been made but noted he will keep an eye on their efforts.