Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy
Drugs on Campus
Anonymous:
I am the parent of a current HLA student who has a serious addiction problem. We tried everything we knew about---multiple therapists, local programs, meetings, various consequences, discipline,etc., but still he managed to use whatever he could get his hands on---we just could not get him to stop using, so since he is a minor I felt it was our responsibility as parents (we are divorced and have not always agreed on appropriate action) to keep him safe and try to stop his substance abuse even though he was not a willing participant. Over the last two years he has been at two wilderness programs (both fabulous I thought---the therapists and staff far superior from what I've seen at therapeutic schools) another school, which I was not very impressed with, but he came home at Christmas last year (against his therapist's recommendation), ran away to miss the plane back and then managed to convince his father to let him stay home. He hated this other school and when I visited HLA I thought it would be much better (both were recommended by a consultant who seemed to be ethical and knowledgable). Well, he hates HLA even more than the other school he says, and he tells us all sorts of negative things, including that he obtains and sells various substances there. What makes this more difficult is that my child often lies and it is hard to discern what is truth and what is said in an effort to get back home. We have told him he is not coming home until we feel that he has addressed hid substance abuse issues and we feel he isn't a danger to himself and others. I asked him if there is another school he thinks would be better and he suggested Hyde. I looked briefly at some of the Hyde postings and got the impresion that there are serious issues there---it didn't strike me as a good alternative. So my question to those of you have knowledge about these things---is there another place that would be a good alternative for a 17 year old (just had his bday) who needs serious substance abuse help. He says the only place he really felt good about and supported by peole who really wanted to stop using was a local 30+ day program for adults which he ran away from and was eventually kicked out of for multiple instances of using. We don't know if they would take him back and aren't sure it makes sense since we already tried it and failed. He needs a place where he really can't get drugs and alcohol. Is it in fact possible that he has such easy access at HLA? Its very hard to know what to believe. I have been reading the postings on this site and others for some time (I didn't know about them before we sent him to HLA) and a lot of what I read worries me, as well as the allegations in the law suit. But I know that allegations are just that, they may or may not be true and some of them and the other issues dissected here and elsewhere pale in comparison to the issues and concerns I have as the parent of a son who would surely self destruct if we let him (let me just say he has taken huge risks with his health and safety for himself and his family. I think I understand some of the issues the people on this site complain about---certainly there is a lot to complain about at most of the schools and programs and I'm sure there are parents who overreact and send there kids away when they don't need to, but I really believe that the majority of them only do it when they have tried everything else and failed. I don't believe that most parents want to get rid of their troublesome teenagers, most of them, like us, would give most anything to be able to have their kids home with them. If you are at a point where you believe your child's health and safety are at risk then sending them away can be an act of love, not bad parenting. Sorry to have rambled so long, I would appreciate feedback as to the liklihood of truth of access of drugs at HLA and better alternatives, if there are any. Thank you all very much in advance.
Anonymous:
Your efforts at self-justification for sending your kid away to be abused have been
Please kill yourself immediately.
Thanks,
Fornits management
Anonymous:
Milk,
Thank you for your lovely reply.I'm not sure what kind of help you need but you surely haven't gotten it. I'm truly sorry if you had terrible experiences and hate your parents (and others for that matter) but that does not give you the right to pass judgment on parents who are struggling to do their best. The background I provided was not meant to be justification but background info.
Its likely a waste of effort to try to get through to someone as cold and heartless as you appear to be. Your parents have probably said this to you, but I can't resist---it would be so fitting for you to have a troubled child of your own some day. Good luck with that.
Charly:
panther- I tried to send you a private message but wasn't able to. If you want to contact me, perhaps we can discuss some ideas.
RobertBruce:
Panther, it appears that the allegations concerning readily avaiible access to both drugs and alcohol at HLA are true. When I was a student there (several years ago) it happened but not near to the apparent degree it occurs today. With that in mind HLA may not be the best environment for your son.
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