Straight Staff - silent too long

[Joel]

Edited: Wednesday, October 06, 2010

[Whooter]

I think a good inspector can see past most of the quick changes put into place.  But you need to give the program director advanced notice of any formal audit so that he can have the people available to escort them and clear his own schedule.



...

[Joel]

Edited: Wednesday, October 06, 2010

[wdtony]

How would you envision a better program for kids? I know this is a very general question so any thoughts are welcome.

I don't know if programs would get better per se. One thing I would encourage outsiders to look at is the investigation process. There was only one time a state employee came to Eckerd RI. He came for the sole purpose to do an audit. There are things investigators don't look into because it is too much work, from their point of view.

1. Restraint paperwork
2. Interviewing children & staff
3. Inspecting living conditions
4. Inspecting buildings to make sure they're up to par with state/local building codes
5. Background checks
6. Nutrition
7. Billing practices
8. Audits
9. Staff credentials (This includes staff that should be trained in restraint procedures because many staff do them without formal training.)
10. Therapy practices
11. Education requirements

Bear in mind program directors are notified prior to inspections. They ought to do inspections without notifying programs. The regional director for Eckerd RI would notify my boss prior to visiting the camp. Things changed in a hurry. The process would require a couple of people. I don't see this happening anytime soon.

Well, that's a great point of view. I don't remember anyone ever inspecting or investigating KHK. If anyone did, it was for the building and no "person" was questioned that I know of. I don't know how much it would cost to hire Federal Inspectors to monitor, investigate and regulate these programs but I agree with you with what you have wrote and I believe that this must be done, especially # 2. Interviewing children and staff. These regulators would have to be able to collect evidence and have enough power to legally halt program operations as well as open up a broader investigation if necessary. I once hoped H.R. 911 would offer this solution but I am uncertain if it would at this point.

And there is no point in an inspection if the program director knows it is coming. So I agree with you on this point. After working in restaurants for several years, I understand how much can be "covered up" in a hurry as you mentioned.

This is a good list of specific things that should be looked at by investigators. And anyone who is running a clean program should have no problem with being transparent to regulators. This might not happen soon but it is a good idea that should be revisited often until it is put into place.

[Che Gookin]

Getting back to the original point of the topic that Noncomformistlaw posted, I'll throw a few points into the ring based on my own experiences. Posting here as staff requires an extremely thick skin. A think skin that took me years to develop and a bit of common sense. Common sense I still fully haven't gotten around to assimilating. I fully understand why survivors lash out at ex-staff. As staff members we had the duty to report incidents of abuse and the majority of us didn't. This makes us just as responsible for the acts we directly participated and equally responsible for the acts we chose not to report.

Just about every single state has some sort of mandatory reporting law. Just about every single state has some sort of privacy protection for mandatory reporters. Not sure of the exact numbers, but I do know that there isn't any excuse for not reporting abuse.

You survivors should be angry and you should take your shots at them. However, do try to keep in mind that ex-staffers who are cooperative can be good sources of information. Milk them for all the goodies and then blow their doors off if you feel the urge to get some forum therapy done. You'd all be well advised to direct them to the PQ&A forum for direct inquistioning/questioning as Ginger suggests. Not my forum anymore so I can't say just how moderated it is, but it seems pretty good.

Also, Ginger:

Donkey fucking is a friendly noncompetitive sport played in Burma involving two men and a donkey with one jar of vaseline. You shouldn't be a hater, and thank god I've never been to Burma.

Tony:

KHK of Nick Gaglia fame?

[ZenAgent]

Also, Ginger:

Donkey fucking is a friendly noncompetitive sport played in Burma involving two men and a donkey with one jar of vaseline. You shouldn't be a hater, and thank god I've never been to Burma.

What could be more sporting than barnyard animals and petroleum jelly?   The Burmese think it is competitive, they're trying to get it entered as a sport in the next Summer Olympics.

[Che Gookin]

Oh those wild and crazy Burmese!

[evan j rodgers]

I'm just curious to know how many senior and executive staff are still true believers in Straight.I'm sure there are a few who
have not seen the error of their ways.But it is undeniable that Straight was basically closed down,some of their locations,
because authorities caught on to the abuse and the vilolations/non-compliance with State health regulations.That is just a
plain fact of history. I, being a victem of the Springfield branch (Nov.86-late 88, I think), I think the State of Virginia holds some responsibility and blame for not taking action until the early 90's.I mean the Fred Collins trial was in 83 or 84, so
Virginia knew something was seriously wrong.Ofcourse, Virginia has a bad history in general, slavery and the Confederacy,
which was an act of treason.But thats veering off the point.I guess what I mean to say is the state regulators are to blame
almost as much as staff.It was especially unprofessional and uncalled for that Straight delved into our sex lives.They were
not qualified to be drug counselors, let alone sex therapists.Alot of people are genetically predisposed to their sexual
orientation.That is a matter of science.Straight would say our impulses were "part of our drug problem" and our quest
for "good feelings." That is such a disgrace for them to have uttered such nosey nonsence.A apology is in order, but I
guess most staff is not sorry. The point is this kind of "rehabilitation" should never happen again. All that being said,
I see no point in being bitter, angry or feeling sorry for myself.Life is verry hard and weird, history is unkind and
reality can be overwhelming.I have made terrible mistakes in my life, as we all have. The point is to love one another
and contribute something positive to society. There are so many avenues to reach out and make a difference. As for me
I intend to keep dreaming,reaching out and believing in the Spirit of Life and Love.
Love, Evan J Rodgers

[evan j rodgers]

A few more thoughts I'd like to add: If there are staff out there who still believe in Straight and feel that what they did was
right<they should not be expected to apologize,for they cant apologize if they are unrepentent.There are probably alot
of staff that know now that they were wrong but just dont care, and I dont expect a response from them. I thInk
Nixon could have been alot more direct and apologetic about Watergate, but that man was disturbed.
In the end History will be the judge. I think the lesson learned is to be as kind and respectful to everyone we meet,
everyday! We never know what someone is going through or what difference a kind word or smile can make.
 Love, Evan J Rodgers

[Carmel]

Looking at it from a broader perspective restraints will always be necessary to keep social order.  The vast majority of us are able to utilized "self restraint".  But in those cases where people have not been taught or refuse to utilize "self restraint" then other types need to be used like chemical or physical.  We are all restrained every day of our lives.

The use of restraints should not be viewed as a form of punishment.  I am sure it feels like it to the person being restrained , though.  If someone flips you off on the way to work you can speed up and cut the guy off into a ditch or use self restraint.  Self restraint doesn’t make you feel any better and it may feel like it is not fair because this guy is able to flip you off and just get away with it, but that is life in society.  If you cannot restrain yourself then someone else will have to.

If someone were wailing on another person with a stick should we sit back and watch or try to restrain the aggressor?  Would you view this restraint as punishment or as helpful?

If restraints prove to be ineffective I could see calling the police, but typically overpowering the child with weapons and handcuffs and putting him in jail isn’t the greatest experience for a child and should be avoided and used as a final option.



...

I can appreciate the altruistic point of view here....however I think this is where the casual participant falls short of a real understanding of what a slippery slope restraints can become given the proper pressures and manipulation.

In Straight, the refusal to sit a certain way in ones chair could often constitute a full four point restraint that could likely result in injury.  Now, it could be argued that the person being restrained was doing harm to themselves by not participating fully in their own recovery by rebeling against the minor rule of maintaining proper posture.  In fact, this was precisely how this sort of behavior was viewed by the group...it was "hazardous" to ones sobriety.  We were all modeled to believe that one day theyd be slouching in their chair, and the next day be sticking a needle in their arm.

The very idea may seem ludicrous to the casual observer, but this program model has effected tens of thousands of children over the span of several decades, and is still now in use in programs that have adopted parts of the modality.  You must go further back and understand the circumstances of a treatment or program core teaching in order to see how what seems to make sense to the rest of the free world, can become horribly twisted and remade into just sheer violence for the sake of control.  THAT is the reality, and no shoulda coulda attitude is going to make that different.

The sicker part of the whole thing, was that as participants of the group, we were conditioned to approve and commend the abuse...even participate when given the chance.  There was no one there to call foul on the technique.....and under duress of it happening to us too, you bet your bottom dollar our stories were all the same come time for investigations or inspections.  This was part of why I think it took so damn long to get them shut down.  Only a brave few came forward with their pain.  My girlfriend ran away and turned herself in to the police....they photographed her body from head to toe, because she was so bruised and cut from restraints for such things as not raising her hand in group or not sitting properly in her chair (I personally witnessed many of these involving her), took her statement...and then you know what? They SENT HER BACK. There was only one detective who attempted to follow up with her afterwards, and the program staff refused him entry or contact.....she was there for several more months until her parents pulled her out for having sexual contact with a senior staffer.  The program itself continued to run for close to another year.

[Anne Bonney]

Looking at it from a broader perspective restraints will always be necessary to keep social order.  The vast majority of us are able to utilized "self restraint".  But in those cases where people have not been taught or refuse to utilize "self restraint" then other types need to be used like chemical or physical.  We are all restrained every day of our lives.

The use of restraints should not be viewed as a form of punishment.  I am sure it feels like it to the person being restrained , though.  If someone flips you off on the way to work you can speed up and cut the guy off into a ditch or use self restraint.  Self restraint doesn’t make you feel any better and it may feel like it is not fair because this guy is able to flip you off and just get away with it, but that is life in society.  If you cannot restrain yourself then someone else will have to.

If someone were wailing on another person with a stick should we sit back and watch or try to restrain the aggressor?  Would you view this restraint as punishment or as helpful?

If restraints prove to be ineffective I could see calling the police, but typically overpowering the child with weapons and handcuffs and putting him in jail isn’t the greatest experience for a child and should be avoided and used as a final option.



...

I can appreciate the altruistic point of view here....however I think this is where the casual participant falls short of a real understanding of what a slippery slope restraints can become given the proper pressures and manipulation.

In Straight, the refusal to sit a certain way in ones chair could often constitute a full four point restraint that could likely result in injury.  Now, it could be argued that the person being restrained was doing harm to themselves by not participating fully in their own recovery by rebeling against the minor rule of maintaining proper posture.  In fact, this was precisely how this sort of behavior was viewed by the group...it was "hazardous" to ones sobriety.  We were all modeled to believe that one day theyd be slouching in their chair, and the next day be sticking a needle in their arm.

The very idea may seem ludicrous to the casual observer, but this program model has effected tens of thousands of children over the span of several decades, and is still now in use in programs that have adopted parts of the modality.  You must go further back and understand the circumstances of a treatment or program core teaching in order to see how what seems to make sense to the rest of the free world, can become horribly twisted and remade into just sheer violence for the sake of control.  THAT is the reality, and no shoulda coulda attitude is going to make that different.

The sicker part of the whole thing, was that as participants of the group, we were conditioned to approve and commend the abuse...even participate when given the chance.  There was no one there to call foul on the technique.....and under duress of it happening to us too, you bet your bottom dollar our stories were all the same come time for investigations or inspections.  This was part of why I think it took so damn long to get them shut down.  Only a brave few came forward with their pain.  My girlfriend ran away and turned herself in to the police....they photographed her body from head to toe, because she was so bruised and cut from restraints for such things as not raising her hand in group or not sitting properly in her chair (I personally witnessed many of these involving her), took her statement...and then you know what? They SENT HER BACK. There was only one detective who attempted to follow up with her afterwards, and the program staff refused him entry or contact.....she was there for several more months until her parents pulled her out for having sexual contact with a senior staffer.  The program itself continued to run for close to another year.

 :notworthy:  :notworthy:  :notworthy:

[Deprogrammed]

Woof, Rich is pretty cool but he's not the only staffer to hang around w/ all us splits, pull-offs n fuckups. Deprogrammed was on staff for a couple of years, I think. Don Smith too. And he initially came out as a dedicated program defender.

But more commonly, it goes like this:

John Underwood comes along to share his "insights"
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11132&hilit=john+underwood
(or a light come down on group LOL)

Marnie Sykes posted briefly. She still insisted that the Seed had saved her brother's life, at least till he od on heroin, and then bowed out rather gracefully. Far as I know she's still working for a local print shop somewhere on the Gulf Coast.

Those are just a couple I know of from the Seed/Straight line. I'm sure there are others. Then there's Dysfunction Junction and Che from other programs. Never mind the Elan people! LOL They're too hard to figure out sometimes.

Antigen,
I wasn't on staff for a couple of years, thank goodness...it was almost a year.......Also ye forgot to mention what I became....ye mentioned what Don did...but not me...

I love ye anyway !
-DP :rocker:  :rasta:

[wdtony]

One memory I have is the first protest I ever attended on November 30th 2007 in front of KHK/PFC Milford. DP was there protesting alone from early morning until late at night. When the rest of us arrived late afternoon-ish, DP had been there all day in the freezing cold holding signs and was a defiant popsicle! If I am not mistaken, I think DP may have gotten a degree of frostbite by the end of the night. That really shook up the KHK peeps and rattled them so bad that they didn't know what to do.

Some memories are good.

[Che Gookin]

She did, on her toes.