I have a opinion on the relationship between Dr. Davidson and Joe Ricci and why they initially decide to get together. This is based on the ratio between hard core drug addicts and residents with other issues (if any at all). I will be accounting for the years of Elans opening up to 1973-75. It has always been my opinion that Joe and Gerald did not meet by coincidence. Dr Davidson was involved in Methedone and drug addiction and Joe at one time was a drug addict and was also dealing with the treatment of drug addict, albeit it was unprofessional.
Joe I believe was discouraged by what he saw in the Treatment Centers of the time (Daytop, Marathon House, Phoenix House) not impressed by the money they were generating. Most of the TC's were dependent on State, City, County services for monies, welfare and food stamps (I am talking circa 1968-1970). Joe left Daytop angry over being controlled by his superiors and set out for Meriden Ct. There he helped set up another program for children trying to work with school administrators to take on there troubled kids. Joe tried to set up the first system where he could get the state or city to pay for the kids out of the education budget but I don't think he was successful. Because it wasn't to long before the first meeting between Dr.Davidson and Joe happened a plan was made and off to Maine they went.
Getting back to the ratio between hard core drug addicts and other residents in Elan at the beginning is important for this reason. Because it shows where the focus was for Joe and Gerald, what expertise they brought to Elan (whether false or not) at the beginning stages and what behavioral models they were going to be using for the residents they intended on treating. I believe Elan began/started on the bases that they were going to be treating drug addicts. They had planned on using the leading behavioral model at the time;
http://www.williamwhitepapers.com/pr/20 ... atment.pdf The Use Of Confrontation In Addiction Treatment History, Science And The Time For Change
William L.White, MA and William R. Miller, PHD. (
I found this PDF on Fornits viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23440&start=15 Dragonfly provided it).
Of course all the education Dr.Gerald Davidson had and the limited education Joe Ricci had was of no use because they both forgot about helping kids and became enamored with getting rich.
By 1973 and on the large part of the population (or money kids) was from referral(ei; Marvin Schwartz from Ill) from institutions within states private pay (parents) and the other large part was State referral which was Joe's baby. He finally got his cash cow.
Elan started to recieve kids with multiple issues that this confrontational model (IMO) only exacerbated the problems for the kids. At this point the staff became frustrated and began to take these emotions out on the kids. By 1974 Joe and Gerald had brought in barbaric methods to deal with kids that they had no idea if success was there or not. Once again (iMO) Joe and his henchmen at this time had reverted to being thugs, back to living on the street and dealing with folks accordingly. This is not a joke or some misconception either, Joe had reduced himself to being back on the street, he was drinking and drugging to excess, chasing women and acting in a very immature manner.
Dr.Davidson knew this was going on with Joe, he knew the violence was going on in the houses, he even participated in it at times. Dr.Davidson started to complain about Joe when he realized Joe was mismanaging the money and cutting him out of profits gained in various enterprises they both owned.
They both had a small idea but had huge egos. Something had to give, sad part it was our (the kids) minds and bodies that gave out.