Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Seed Discussion Forum

Operation Reentry

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Ursus:
There are a number of comments left for the above review, "Something is missing here.":


Initial post: Nov 11, 2008 12:02:14 PM PST
Seoreh says:
Super interesting point, I felt the same way. Gee, she wasn't an addict and here she was in this ridiculous program her parents actually forced her into. I think that may have something to do with the mental illness she developed.In reply to an earlier post on Dec 8, 2008 3:59:31 AM PST
Last edited by the author on Dec 20, 2008 10:10:41 AM PST
J. A. Haverstick says:
Exactly. Reading the book and that comes up and goes away like it belongs there. It leaves a creepy effect since it's such a bizarre episode. The first thing that occured to me was, 'what does it say about her parents'. I was a parent during the popularity of this "cure", and most of my fellow adult parents, as far as I can recall, were appalled by such programs! Since there is some feeling that schizophrenia can be triggered by life experiences....Anyway, her parents came across in a very unclear way in the book, I thought. I got a negative impression overall, but for a "biography", I felt the parents were confusingly described.Posted on Dec 15, 2008 2:40:59 AM PST
Last edited by the author on Dec 15, 2008 2:43:27 AM PST
C. Bowen says:
I think you hit on something in the last sentence of your post, "I hope Ms. Saks will do a rigorous re-examination of this time in her life and write about it." The book you are supposed to be reviewing is intended to speak of schizophrenia, not Operation ReEntry; If you wish to learn more on that subject, I suggest you read a book with it as its main topic. I believe Ms. Saks did an exceptional job of highlighting the experiences and difficulties of life with schizophrenia, and I personally do not have any interest in what punishments or corrective training her parents decided where appropriate.Posted on Dec 30, 2008 4:03:21 PM PST
G. Steen says:
Few people seem to want to discuss this book. Giving a synopsis is not a review, it is not a critique. Elyn's book is a starting point in a discussion about mental health and the way that society, individuals and consumers (terrible word, patients, mentally challenged, let's find a new word!) deal with a terrible problem. As P. Guerrero indicates there is another book that needs to be written. This was the coming out book. The next book will be even harder. Please Elyn write it. Thank you!Posted on Jan 6, 2009 1:02:52 PM PST
Last edited by the author on Jan 6, 2009 1:03:37 PM PST
Stargeezer in Utah says:
I agree with you.. I have a friend who was in synanon and also diagnosed with schizophrenic tendencies..has attempted suicide and continues to struggle with reality..... Coincidence?? I think not.. Synanon, odysee house and similar drug programs are torture and even graduates come out altered.. angry and not in touch with reality...
Thanx for publishing this review!!!Posted on Jun 17, 2009 6:56:47 PM PDT
Last edited by the author on Jun 17, 2009 6:59:42 PM PDT
W.H. says:
I have schizoaffictive disorder myself, and I do not believe that any sad or unpleasant experience caused it. In fact, nothing frustrates me more than anti-medication people who insist that "drugs are not the answer" and that I need to find out what REALLY caused my illness (I don't know--what causes epilepsy or type one diabetes?).

In this case, though, I think the reviewer has a point. I don't believe for a moment that being mistreated caused Saks' schizophrenia. I do, however, think that her incarceration and re-programming at Operation ReENtry set her up to be non medication-compliant. This abbhorence of drugs (even prescription drugs) really prevented Saks from trying every possible option to get well for far too long.

That wasted time may be Operation ReEntry's saddest, worst legacy.In reply to an earlier post on Feb 20, 2010 11:25:38 AM PST
Carolyn Mae Robe says:
Feb. 2010 program Nature of Things by David Suzuki indicates that in a very small minority, marijuana use can trigger psychosis-- in those who are vulnerable. Synanon could have provided structure in her life as could any cult like religion, etc. or the mistreatment could have been an exasperating factor in her illness. Better medication could have helped her more than all that psycho analysis perhaps.In reply to an earlier post on Aug 26, 2010 7:52:43 AM PDT
Dreamer says:
Seoreh, regardless of this woman's horrible past, it is known that schizophrenia is a MEDICAL/NEUROLOGICAL disorder. There is no dispute about that. Abuse can damage coping mechanisms, but the complexity of this illness (cognitive, emotional and other symptoms) are NOT caused by abuse. Such concepts as the "schizphrenogenic" sp? mother, or a cold mother that causes autism (for example) have long been discredited. Abuse is one issue. Schizophrenia is a BIOLOGICAL/NEUROLOGICAL disorder.In reply to an earlier post on Aug 26, 2010 7:57:42 AM PDT
Dreamer says:
Indeed, though psychoanalysis and talk therapy AND CBT can be helpful as an adjunct treatment, this would be like saying that one can treat this with talk therapy alone. Freud and his many followers with many theories have long been eclipsed with growing neurological understanding of everything from schizophrenia, bipolar, clinical depression, anxiety disorders (such as OCD), etc. I myself have a mental illness and came from an abusive family. I see TWO things that happened to myself -- PSYCHOLOGICAL issues (which have hindered my coping mechanisms) and a clearly NEUROLOGICAL disorder. Yes, the early years exacerbated her illness, they did not CAUSE it.Posted on Nov 28, 2010 10:07:39 PM PST
Alice F. Meier says:
[Deleted by the author on Dec 23, 2010 11:31:24 PM PST]In reply to an earlier post on Apr 27, 2011 1:27:34 AM PDT
Meadow says:
I just now downloaded this book.

Check out W.H.'s review of "Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker". She has received 259 comments so far, from abusive, obsessive down right to personal attacks. It was disturbing and almost chilling for me to read through the hatred pouring out from some repeated contributors. W.H. has my admiration!

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none-ya:
I Just googled operation ReEntry,and there are several oganizations using that name. (Including one that claime to help ex-cons). Where and when was this program? Is there anything left of it today? Yes it sounds very seedlike and straightlike.

Ursus:
From a Slovakian Facebook discussion on Phoenix House:



--- Quote from: "Jo Jo" ---I worked for Operation Reentry on Miami Beach in the late 70s.
The head director came from Synanon, and knew the director of Phoenix House. We learned how to play "Games", and I introduced the concept of The Secoind Chance Family. We had weekend "experiences" where everyone wore robes, and had round the clock "games". It was a therapeutic community, and I'll always remember those years I was there.
--- End quote ---

Ursus:
From fornits... First post in the below quote-reply nest, with Operation ReEntry originally mentioned as an aside, is dated 06 Feb 2002):


Originally posted on 29 Nov 2008 on the I heard ART retired thread:

--- Quote from: "Just a guest..." ---
--- Quote from: "Guest" ---
--- Quote from: ""Scarlett Chiclet"" ---I just found about about another Synanon spin off in the Miami area around the late `70's. The place was called Operation Reentry.
--- End quote ---
Hello, anybody still watching this thread? I know about Operation Reentry! I was there, and was just thinking about it today, and found this as one of the top results!

"OR", as we used to call it, was originally run by a nut named Warren Klein... I think I remember some old stuff about the "Seed", but the stories I heard of it sounded evil, or at least suspicious. But I loved it, especially after the change in management. I went there for the 7th grade, right there on Miami Beach, and I guess I could tell as many bad stories as good ones, but in the end, they got shut down when the city stopped all support. We tried to fight it, but it did not work.

I remember several people from there, though, that I've always wondered where they went... Could you be one? :)

--JJ
--- End quote ---
Hello!  I am one!

Was there in April of 1978 to August of 1978.  I hang with a few people who were there then.....

Matter of fact...one of them spoke today at an NA meeting this morning...brought back some memories...hence the reason i was googling it.  I didn't even DO drugs or ever had a drink at that time...was just a discipline problem...but that place screwed me up in a major way.  I am glad it got shut down.  The way they treated people was no way to help anyone...

Just my 2 cents worth
--- End quote ---

Ursus:
So... Operation Re-Entry was apparently in operation from late 1969 to 1980 or shortly thereafter. It subsisted mainly on city funding and community support; there was also at least one federal grant in the beginning, probably more throughout its existence.

There appears to have been a death associated with it, a boy... "broken heart." Perhaps a suicide? Re-Entry claimed they tried to help him. The boy's parents do not seem to have blamed them at the time.

Operation Re-Entry did advertise itself as "Synanon-style." I believe Warren Klein may have been the director who came from Synanon. There was a Warren Klein associated with Synanon and their attempt to open an auto repair shop in the Los Angeles area in 1966 or 68.

There were actually quite a number of drug rehabs opening up and already in binnis in Florida back then. Even for teenagers. Art Barker was, if anything, NOT leading the pack! He just jumped on the bandwagon. :D  Here are six, just from the Miami area alone, which were vying for Federal Drug Grants in the year 1971: Spectrum, Concept House, Here's Help, Operation Self-Help, Operation Re-Entry, and Genesis.

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