Oh, I would beg to differ. Using Betty & Mels own staggering numbers (12,000 served), I don't subscribe to the notion that Straight Inc. and it's techniques would or could produce child molesters, and sexual predators. Granted, we are many many things, and most of us have done things we are less than proud of. However, the vast majority have not turned out to be child predators/molestors. Some have, the huge majority have not.
The question that pops into my mind is not so much the, John Doe came out of Straight Inc as a child molestor and a predator of small boys. (am not convinced as fucked up as Straight Inc. was, that sexual predator intincts and or issues of being gay or straight) As was mentioned, John Buick was "gay" and had a preference for young boys prior to Straight Inc...which alledgedly was suppossed to be a Drug Treatment facility. I remember people being stood up for being thought to be gay, and they were treated with the least amount of decency possible. Seriously, a Drug Treatment Center, busting on a sexual preference??? Gay or Lesbian is not at issue, and should not have been attacted in such a humiliating fashion. Hopefully Tx Cntrs today dont engage or employ such ideaology.
The best, the most respected, highest esteemed Drug Treatment Facility (if there is one), is an inappropriate placement for an self confessed child sexual predator. I don't pretend to offer a solution, nor do I have the expertise to explain what makes a predator/molestor tick. But I think I can say safely that placing a self confessed predator, in the middle of 150 adolescent young boys for 12 hours a day is far from being a good idea! And describing his sexual deviance as just another druggie manafestation just to be able to recieve another "intake check" is flat out fucking irresponcible.
As to the phrase 'blaming '...on "Programs/Treatment Centers". Ehhh, not so much. I, at one time placed alot of 'blame' on my direct personal experience at Straight Inc. I was mentaly, emotionally, psycologically a victim of Straight Inc. As a 'victim', I sought refuge, I waited for salvation...I wanted some one to rescue me. (after all, I couldnt help myself, being a 'victim' and all).
It occured to me, there is not and will not be a 'saviour' and the calvary is/was not on it's way. Granted, it took me 30+ years to realize this and accept it. I no-longer refer to myself as a 'victim', verbally, in writting or mentally...as I think. As a 'victim', I can "blame". If I am no longer a 'victim, what can I call it?
Over time, I have come to see it as 'part of an explaination'. I can not deny the experience, nor it's occurance and for that matter, it's re-occurence that takes place tween my own ears. The irony is, I am truely "powerless" over that time period of my life. Those bubbles of thought seen as they rise to the surface, most of us can see them. Now add the ability to know what created the bubble in the first place. For me, it was over 30 years of those bubbbles. Now, I know thier source. The laws of cause and effect are in full working order. Once recognised, easy to understand. And the word, or insinuation of "blame" fade quickly and becomes an "explaination".
Danny, your out of bounds in regard to suicide...it's thin ice your tromping on
<pardon if I missed the dark humor, if any>
Much Peace
Continued Healing
woof/dave