To the friend:
You're doing the right thing getting all the information you can. You seem to have a pretty realistic take on what your friend's problems are, and how they might be addressed. Obviously your motivation has to do with genuine concern for him, rather than a need to be right about this.
Keep it up. Keep asking questions here and at other places. Keep lines of communication with his family open and honest. I have worked at three programs over the last eight years, and never saw any abuse at all. I've seen many kids do well, and some do just as poorly when they leave as when they got there.
The idea, I think, is to get them safe and get their attention so they can decide for themselves which direction to take,and the family can begin healing. Every program I know of is family intensive, and works with parents and siblings closely.
Are there some bad programs? I guess there may be, but I've seen only good ones---including Spring creek.
Troll? Maybe, but I can trust my own eyes and experience. If your friend's family is feeling uncertain, encourage them to call and to visit so they can trust their own eyes and experience. Of course, at that point, the good folks on this website will just call them brainwashed.
:roll:
The important thing is for the family and your friend to get what THEY think they need.