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Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Seed Discussion Forum => Topic started by: LoveDr on June 06, 2011, 03:49:11 AM

Title: Operation Reentry
Post by: LoveDr on June 06, 2011, 03:49:11 AM
Anyone who went to ReEntry from January 1973-December 1974 please contact me at; [email protected]

Thanks,

r
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Beverly on July 15, 2011, 04:47:23 PM
I was at Operation Re-Entry from 70-74 .... please email me - Beverly
[email protected]
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Fred Thompson on July 15, 2011, 04:59:20 PM
Quote from: "??????????"
I'm getting censored.  Psy is deleting my posts without explanation.

The gatekeeper is probably deleting your posts.  He is a former staffer who believes in censorship.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: none-ya on July 15, 2011, 06:06:50 PM
Why is this in the seed discussion?

Oh yea,fred,we know who you are.
Title: Something is missing here.
Post by: Ursus on July 16, 2011, 10:41:49 AM
I came across an interesting review (http://http://www.amazon.com/Center-Cannot-Hold-Journey-Through/product-reviews/1401309445/ref=cm_rdp_hist_hdr_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1) of the book The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness (http://http://www.amazon.com/Center-Cannot-Hold-Journey-Through/dp/1401309445/ref=cm_rdp_product), by Elyn R. Saks (Hyperion, 2007), which happens to mention Operation ReEntry:


Something is missing here. (http://http://www.amazon.com/review/R1APYA7BV1974H), October 5, 2008
By P. Guerrero
This review is from: The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness (Paperback)[/list]
What everyone who reviews this book and Ms. Saks herself untterly fails to realize is the devastating affect that her two years with "Operation ReEntry" had on her emotional and psychological development. Spawned from Synanon, a destructive and cruel cult that borrowed its methods from Korean war era mind-control and brainwashing techniques, it had her brainwashed into believing that she needed to have her spirit broken down and "rebuilt" although she never makes clear in what way it was beneficial for her to have spent two years being yelled at, made to scrub the stairs with a toothbrush, cut off from normal teenage activities, separated from her peers and turned over to a group of controlling drug addicts. Nor how her spirit was supposedly rebuilt nor to whose specifications. Lots of people have done far more drugs that Ms. Saks did and are fine. But when your parents abandon you to a cult that turns sanity, reality and common sense on its head then makes you believe you are crazy if you challange it, truth gets twisted into such a Gordian knot that sometimes insanity is the only escape. The lady seriously needs to reexamine that time in her life to understand the damage that was done by her post-traumatic reaction to her semi-incarceration. I'm not saying that she would not have schizophrenia anyway. But the massively profitable "behavioral" programs that Synanon spawned have been the cause of much post-traumatic stress and suicide, not to mention the kids who died in the "programs" as a result of abuse and neglect. Although I admire her and her accomplishments there is a big piece of the puzzle missing here. I hope Ms. Saks will do a rigorous re-examination of this time in her life and write about it.[/list]
Title: Comments: "Something is missing here."
Post by: Ursus on July 16, 2011, 11:49:09 AM
There are a number of comments (http://http://www.amazon.com/review/R1APYA7BV1974H) left for the above review, "Something is missing here. (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=37255&p=402654#p402650)":


Initial post: Nov 11, 2008 12:02:14 PM PST
Seoreh says:
In reply to an earlier post on Dec 8, 2008 3:59:31 AM PST
Last edited by the author on Dec 20, 2008 10:10:41 AM PST

J. A. Haverstick says:
Posted on Dec 15, 2008 2:40:59 AM PST
Last edited by the author on Dec 15, 2008 2:43:27 AM PST

C. Bowen says:
Posted on Dec 30, 2008 4:03:21 PM PST
G. Steen says:
Posted on Jan 6, 2009 1:02:52 PM PST
Last edited by the author on Jan 6, 2009 1:03:37 PM PST

Stargeezer in Utah says:
Posted on Jun 17, 2009 6:56:47 PM PDT
Last edited by the author on Jun 17, 2009 6:59:42 PM PDT

W.H. says:
In reply to an earlier post on Feb 20, 2010 11:25:38 AM PST
Carolyn Mae Robe says:
In reply to an earlier post on Aug 26, 2010 7:52:43 AM PDT
Dreamer says:
In reply to an earlier post on Aug 26, 2010 7:57:42 AM PDT
Dreamer says:
Posted on Nov 28, 2010 10:07:39 PM PST
Alice F. Meier says:
In reply to an earlier post on Apr 27, 2011 1:27:34 AM PDT
Meadow says:


© 1996-2011, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: none-ya on July 16, 2011, 12:06:32 PM
I Just googled operation ReEntry,and there are several oganizations using that name. (Including one that claime to help ex-cons). Where and when was this program? Is there anything left of it today? Yes it sounds very seedlike and straightlike.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Ursus on July 16, 2011, 12:44:33 PM
From a Slovakian Facebook discussion (http://http://sl-si.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=348978700262&topic=15889) on Phoenix House:


Quote from: "Jo Jo"
I worked for Operation Reentry on Miami Beach in the late 70s.
The head director came from Synanon, and knew the director of Phoenix House. We learned how to play "Games", and I introduced the concept of The Secoind Chance Family. We had weekend "experiences" where everyone wore robes, and had round the clock "games". It was a therapeutic community, and I'll always remember those years I was there.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Ursus on July 16, 2011, 01:03:12 PM
From fornits... First post (http://http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=188#p1306) in the below quote-reply nest, with Operation ReEntry originally mentioned as an aside, is dated 06 Feb 2002):


Originally posted (http://http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13722&p=294953#p319832) on 29 Nov 2008 on the I heard ART retired thread:
Quote from: "Just a guest..."
Quote from: "Guest"
Quote from: ""Scarlett Chiclet""
I just found about about another Synanon spin off in the Miami area around the late `70's. The place was called Operation Reentry.
Hello, anybody still watching this thread? I know about Operation Reentry! I was there, and was just thinking about it today, and found this as one of the top results!

"OR", as we used to call it, was originally run by a nut named Warren Klein... I think I remember some old stuff about the "Seed", but the stories I heard of it sounded evil, or at least suspicious. But I loved it, especially after the change in management. I went there for the 7th grade, right there on Miami Beach, and I guess I could tell as many bad stories as good ones, but in the end, they got shut down when the city stopped all support. We tried to fight it, but it did not work.

I remember several people from there, though, that I've always wondered where they went... Could you be one? :)

--JJ
Hello!  I am one!

Was there in April of 1978 to August of 1978.  I hang with a few people who were there then.....

Matter of fact...one of them spoke today at an NA meeting this morning...brought back some memories...hence the reason i was googling it.  I didn't even DO drugs or ever had a drink at that time...was just a discipline problem...but that place screwed me up in a major way.  I am glad it got shut down.  The way they treated people was no way to help anyone...

Just my 2 cents worth
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Ursus on July 16, 2011, 09:49:39 PM
So... Operation Re-Entry was apparently in operation from late 1969 to 1980 or shortly thereafter. It subsisted mainly on city funding and community support; there was also at least one federal grant in the beginning, probably more throughout its existence.

There appears to have been a death associated with it, a boy... "broken heart." Perhaps a suicide? Re-Entry claimed they tried to help him. The boy's parents do not seem to have blamed them at the time.

Operation Re-Entry did advertise itself as "Synanon-style." I believe Warren Klein may have been the director who came from Synanon. There was a Warren Klein associated with Synanon and their attempt to open an auto repair shop in the Los Angeles area in 1966 or 68.

There were actually quite a number of drug rehabs opening up and already in binnis in Florida back then. Even for teenagers. Art Barker was, if anything, NOT leading the pack! He just jumped on the bandwagon. :D  Here are six, just from the Miami area alone, which were vying for Federal Drug Grants in the year 1971: Spectrum, Concept House, Here's Help, Operation Self-Help, Operation Re-Entry, and Genesis.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: DannyB II on July 16, 2011, 10:59:32 PM
I heard from a friend of mine that Joe Geranamo from Marathon House Newport/Middletown R.I. went down to Miami and worked for Re-Entry. Joe was my director at Marathon in early 1974, he would of got down there in late '74. Joe came from Daytop originally. John Overend Elan 1976-1978 also worked at Re-Enrty in the early 70's.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: grapeape on July 17, 2011, 02:15:50 PM
I read the book  as well.  It is facinating but the most interesting part is how she can glide right past the most important traumatic event in her life and not see any connection between that and the escalation of her mental disorder which she claims began when she was 8.  If that claim is true then she should have been treated by a mental health professional whether subsequent psychoses were precipitated by drugs or not.

Another interesting fact:  her brother experimented with drugs, was smart enough not to tell his parents, did not get sent to a program and did not develop a mental disorder.  

Of course there is no way to know if the program caused her illness; the focus today is on neurochemistry and genetics more than environment but anyone who dismisses this lady's experiences in OR, at a vulnerable time in her life when hormones were already affecting her neuro brain chemistry ,is a moron.  I greatly admire what she has been able to accomplish but if she would only take a really hard look at the abuse she endured at OR she may be inspired to put her considerable legal and medical talents to use to help other victims.  So far she does not seem inclined to admit that the program had any affect on her.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: grapeape on July 17, 2011, 02:17:55 PM
One more thing:  if the lady does not want to face what she went through because it would hurt her parents then I hope she will write and tell us exactly how that program helped her.  What specific "treatment" helped.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: dragonfly on July 17, 2011, 09:56:50 PM
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: dragonfly on July 17, 2011, 09:59:09 PM
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: creashev on July 26, 2011, 02:21:55 PM
This is really marvelous - finally a venue to share some haunting, and confusing memories of Operation RE-Entry!  Yup, I was there for 4 freeking years - No idea why other than I wasn't a bad girl, nor was I a good girl and Warren Klein loved me!  I was there commuting everyday from Coral Gables to Miami Beach from around 1970-1974.  I missed my childhood for sure!  I look forward to other posts.  I do have some pictures?
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: creashev on July 26, 2011, 02:24:01 PM
You mentioned a death ... the boy who died had the last name of Warner.  His brother was more active - was a black belt and once smacked me across the head for being late to his carpool ride home as he didnt want to miss Kung Fu!  The brother died from a cardiac issue.  They called it a heart attack.  I remember the funeral.  Perhaps it was in Coconut Grove?
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: jim dandy on August 04, 2011, 06:50:12 PM
Boy, Howdy! just read the previous posts. My re-action is just pure disgust. I didn't know that there were other 'programs in Miami at the time , all competing for LEAA funds,and it seems still the game goes on.
It is well known, and proven over and over that a person can be impelled to do things that would otherwise be morally and ethically repugnant to that individual.
i can and will refer to the literature if requested, but citing jonestown should suffice. Or Hale-Bopp, or the list goes on.
I live near orlando fl, and here's my tale. In Miami, there was a group called the 'Yahwehs' look em up, alternate reference Hulon Mitchell. they bought otherwise untenable properties, and buffed 'em up, advertising them as black resort destinations. pembroke pines, so hollywood, 79th st, at 7th ave and at the beachside.
A  warrant cop pointed out to me that those properties were commercially useless, except as firebases.
I know this because i was had communication with a contractor who hauled a lot of equipment for those folks. the equipment he hauled was what we call' boilerplate" ie: quarter inch steel, useful only for bulk storage, short term. Only for storage of bulk cash, weapons, drugs. (don't think drugs)
Anyway they're here now the yahwehs, and thre are the local mosque, and  how many other, masquerading as 'drug rehab, or intervention, or other such do=gooding, abstentious programs.
Lets all abstain from drugs any and all. we can effectively counter those vices with violent intervention in the lives of others.
let-s call it by the numbers, you all, and curtail this monster.
Jim Dandy.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: none-ya on August 04, 2011, 08:36:55 PM
Quote
jim dandy wrote;
'Lets all abstain from drugs any and all."

Surely,you joke, right?
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: flatlander on October 03, 2011, 12:52:00 PM
was just thinking about Operation "rear Entry" today, which pops up in my head on occasion.  I was 13 years old (1977) when my parents, freaked out about my older brother's drug problems, put me in this place after skipping school and trying pot.  I learned much of what I know about drugs in that place. To this day, the months I spent in this program continue to haunt my memories.  Rich so-called ex-addicts mentally abusing children and extorting money from their parents with promises to "fix" their child. My brother's head was shaved as punishment (many times), my hair was cut by inches at a time, forced to wear a stocking cap to represent a shaved head, a sandwich sign stating what a piece of crap I was, sweeping the gutters in the street of Collins ave and 36th st.  I was in fact a rebellious child and that saved me from this place and these people because I refused to buy into this scam (that my parents apparently bought out of fear) mentally and continued to rebel - my stubbornness and insight at the age of 13 kept me from going insane - the experience has however remained a trauma in my life. As OR taught me, "to be aware is to be alive"
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: N.O.S.O.B. on October 03, 2011, 02:59:34 PM
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: creashev on October 11, 2011, 03:24:17 PM
I tried ... I think this generation are opening those old doors and looking back at those confusing, humiliating years.  Please email - we were there the same time ... its nice just to vent with people from that generation [email protected]
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: creashev on October 12, 2011, 01:51:12 AM
I find the treads here very confusing - can the monitor of this website please create a heading of OPERATION RE-ENTRY and allow comments to flow from there?  Many of us from OR, would like to only speak to those who went thru this program ....
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: creashev on November 07, 2011, 11:05:38 AM
I was there at OR with Elyn and I am also reading one of her books.  It is clear to me, that OR created boundaries for her and certainly not created her illness.  She states that very honestly in her book ...
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: creashev on November 09, 2011, 01:45:40 PM
Quote from: "N.O.S.O.B."
do ya'll have any online links to info about this program?
So far ... nothing on the WWW!!  Imagine that!  eventually there will be - several hundred kids came through the doors of OR
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: creashev on November 13, 2011, 01:36:14 AM
There is a WIKIPEDIA affiliated with Operation Re-entry, Miami Beach.  If any "graduates" of OR would like to contribute, just create an account with Wikipedia.  Here is the link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_ ... iami_beach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_re-entry_miami_beach)
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: N.O.S.O.B. on November 13, 2011, 12:21:47 PM
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Maryanne on December 02, 2011, 07:01:19 PM
Not sure where my post went, But I will try again.I was in Operation Reentry from 1976-1977
I Would really like to talk to anyone who was involved with the program. What a great way to reconnect.

I am also trying to find any counselors that might have been involved with the program.

Please contact me.

Sincerely,
Maryanne (Heggenstaller) beans
Title: Re: Operation Re-Entry
Post by: ORStaffMember on December 12, 2011, 06:29:24 PM
I was a member in Operation Re-Entry from '72-'74.  Later worked there as a Staff Trainee, went to school and returned to work as a staff member from about '77 until they closed.  I can answer a lot of questions and clear up some misinformation.  Overall I want to reach out to any previous members, whether your experience was good or bad, and help you resolve any confusion or perhaps pain that might still exist.

In the 1970's the Synanon based model was pretty much all there was for drug treatment programs.  Synanon had success with alcoholics and drug addicts, and their well meaning graduates wanted to spread the word and help others.   Pretty much like Alcoholics Annon. does today.  And for the hard core drug abuser, these tactics probably worked very well.  However the problem came when the clients entering the drug programs became younger and younger.  The young confused insecure teenager who is experimenting with drug use, is not in the same category, and to use the same tactics was to me a little heavy handed.  But like I said earlier, in those days, that was all there was and all we knew.   For every client I think Re-Entry helped with their approach, three others were not.

Fortunately there developed by the late 70's other therapy's and methods of treatment that were less "humiliating" or "abusive".   By the later half of the '70's several staff members had joined Re-Entry who were trained in other disciplines and tried to influence the way the program was run.  It was not until the Synanon trained directors left the program that the program evolved. That is the time I believe Re-Entry had it's greatest positive influence in the lives of its teenager members.  I am proud to have worked there during that time.

To those who feel they have been hurt by their experience in the program I would like to say, from every staff member who ever worked at Operation Re-Entry...please forgive us.  Like early doctors who used primitive tools,  we also were well intentioned, but lacked the proper "tools" and education.  

If I can answer any questions that would help you come to terms with what you went through, I am happy to help.  Let me hear your story.

Jorge Carabelli
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: creashev on December 12, 2011, 06:46:55 PM
Thank you for such a compassionate and warm note ... let's see who comes out of their shells now!  I think about 12 alumna now have made contact these new outreach efforts??  out of 1000?
Title: Re: Operation Re-Entry
Post by: Ursus on December 12, 2011, 09:16:54 PM
Quote from: "ORStaffMember"
I was a member in Operation Re-Entry from '72-'74.  Later worked there as a Staff Trainee, went to school and returned to work as a staff member from about '77 until they closed.  I can answer a lot of questions and clear up some misinformation.  Overall I want to reach out to any previous members, whether your experience was good or bad, and help you resolve any confusion or perhaps pain that might still exist.

In the 1970's the Synanon based model was pretty much all there was for drug treatment programs.  Synanon had success with alcoholics and drug addicts, and their well meaning graduates wanted to spread the word and help others.   Pretty much like Alcoholics Annon. does today.  And for the hard core drug abuser, these tactics probably worked very well.  However the problem came when the clients entering the drug programs became younger and younger.  The young confused insecure teenager who is experimenting with drug use, is not in the same category, and to use the same tactics was to me a little heavy handed.  But like I said earlier, in those days, that was all there was and all we knew.   For every client I think Re-Entry helped with their approach, three others were not.

Fortunately there developed by the late 70's other therapy's and methods of treatment that were less "humiliating" or "abusive".   By the later half of the '70's several staff members had joined Re-Entry who were trained in other disciplines and tried to influence the way the program was run.  It was not until the Synanon trained directors left the program that the program evolved. That is the time I believe Re-Entry had it's greatest positive influence in the lives of its teenager members.  I am proud to have worked there during that time.

To those who feel they have been hurt by their experience in the program I would like to say, from every staff member who ever worked at Operation Re-Entry...please forgive us.  Like early doctors who used primitive tools,  we also were well intentioned, but lacked the proper "tools" and education.  

If I can answer any questions that would help you come to terms with what you went through, I am happy to help.  Let me hear your story.

Jorge Carabelli
I have to suggest that you might be mistaken, as per your contention that there were few or no other methodologies or role models to choose from other than a Synanon based one back in the 1970s...

Attempts to create a NA model, that is, one based more closely on the tenets and template of AA, were well underway by that time, having commenced at least as early as 1947 ("Addicts Anonymous") within the walls of the Lexington facility otherwise known as Narco Farm. Community efforts along those lines started shortly thereafter in the New York City region via one of the graduates who then called the association or organization "Narcotics Anonymous" (incorporated January 25, 1951). Shortly after that, other groups popped up in Ohio, Illinois and California, some with different names, but also with connections to/influence from the groups in Lexington and/or NYC.

See: NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: ITS HISTORY AND CULTURE (http://http://www.williamwhitepapers.com/pr/2011%20Narcotics%20Anonymous%20History%20and%20Culture.pdf), by William White, Chris Budnick, and Boyd Pickard (2011).
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: ORStaffMember on December 13, 2011, 09:12:23 AM
No disagreement here.  

Some of the basic philosophy's of the Synanon model came from AA.  For instance the main premise they called the Triangle of Change:  Act as if, Think as if, Feel as if.  Change your behavior, then your thinking process and soon you will feel that the new behavior is yours.   Also the group confrontation and the use of positive reinforcement through positive peer pressure.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Ursus on December 13, 2011, 12:34:21 PM
Quote from: "ORStaffMember"
No disagreement here.  

Some of the basic philosophy's of the Synanon model came from AA.
Yup. And also some of the personnel. In the beginning, many of these addict-focused groups contained "bridge members," that is, folks who had alcohol as well as drug addiction issues. One of those NA-type groups on the west coast, who called themselves "Hypes and Alcoholics," were allegedly the same folk who later ended up becoming the founding core of Synanon. From the above noted article (http://http://www.williamwhitepapers.com/pr/2011%20Narcotics%20Anonymous%20History%20and%20Culture.pdf):

Hypes and Alcoholics (HYAL), some of whose members were later involved in the founding of Synanon—the first ex-addict-directed therapeutic community.

When Bill W. was repeatedly asked for guidance on starting groups for "mainline addicts," he suggested that "bridge members" (AA members who were also recovering from drug addiction) could serve as catalysts to develop such support.[/list][/size]
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Ursus on December 13, 2011, 01:49:21 PM
The following excerpt from a post on the Cyber Recovery forums (http://http://www.cyberrecovery.net/forums/) dates "Hypes and Alcoholics" even earlier, closer in time to the presumably original "Addicts Anonymous" that formed at Narco farm:

03-01-2008, 08:11 PM
Quote from: "monkeyofstick"
A Bit of Our History (http://http://www.cyberrecovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15105)
NA HISTORY first 30yrs

...The late forties saw a group called HYPAL [Hypes and alcoholics] that turned into Tender Loving Care, later to become SYNANON a treatment program. It met at the American Legion Hall Venice Beach, Ca. Habit Forming Drugs formed in Santa Monica, Ca. and others like Addicts Anonymous and Drugs Anonymous started in East Los Angeles, beginning into the early fifties....
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: N.O.S.O.B. on December 13, 2011, 10:22:14 PM
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Susan Stone on March 06, 2012, 08:46:50 PM
Oops thought this was the place  to find American Legion friends... hee hee.... :cheers:  :roflmao:  :rofl:
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Susan Stone on March 06, 2012, 09:26:20 PM
Flood this .....  :roflmao:  :rofl:  :rocker:  :whip:
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: I'll kick your arse on April 12, 2012, 06:17:37 PM
:bump:
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: ez8631 on January 04, 2013, 03:07:22 PM
I was there from 1976 to 1978 and don't remeber a Jorge working there. Was a long time ago and such a horrible part of my life so I blocked out an aweful lot of those memories. I still remember many of those that suffered with me though... would love to chat if you're out there.
Eric
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: Goddess of Justice on January 25, 2013, 05:06:03 PM
This begs a question I've been waiting to be answered for so long.
Why is it that ONLY youth residential treatment Centers adopt this behavior modification approach with level systems and not the adult treatment facilities? Who puts the gaping hole in the quality of care to this age group?
It just makes me wish I was a bit older because then I wouldn't have gone through this and have this mental scar. Only convicts should be confined at behavior modification facilities, a.k.a real prisons.
Title: Re: Operation Reentry
Post by: none-ya. on January 25, 2013, 09:05:54 PM
Hey Kaksucker, what are you, the next coming of Lee Goldman?

Take your happy program closing bullshit elsewhere.