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Messages - TallyR

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1
Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / Anybody like drinking beer and listening to Pink Floyd?
« on: July 01, 2001, 11:41:12 PM »
Uh, I don't like beer
Guys - y'all must have a great deal more brain cells that I do.  Smoke grass occasionally, but as I age (I'm 40) I have more problems w/short term memory.  Never tried the ex, but cid kinda cooked my head when I was kid.   I did enjoy the stuff, but I guess I'm just an old guy now.  Be careful . . . from what I hear (maybe it's just propaganda) ex can be bad for you.  But, hey I don't really believe the "powerless" stuff.  If you can do it and function, more power to you.   Guess I don't have the inclination anymore.  


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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / Anybody like drinking beer and listening to Pink Floyd?
« on: July 02, 2001, 01:19:34 AM »
Trippy buzz weed . . .
I think mj is a soft drug . . . kinda like a soft drink


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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / Anyone remember how many ceiling tiles in Bergen County?
« on: July 02, 2001, 01:41:10 AM »
passing the time in straight st. pete in '78
what ceiling!   we were in f**cking metal building in St. Pete.   Passing the time was easy . . . starting at the latter part of 3rd phase I broke into my stash I had hid prior to entering the program and smoked my way to the 7th step!  





JUST KIDDING - But, I do know of someone who did do that. . . bless his heart, now that dude knew what was cooking.


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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / Any suggestions?
« on: June 01, 2001, 11:48:18 PM »
greetings!
I went into the program on Dec 26, 1978 (merry christmas!) and out in Feb '80. I too understand the after effects of straight, and live in Tallahassee as well.  Don't know about the "our fair capitol" with the JEB! in town.   Had some post traumatic type stress after I graduated; took about 12 years to get that monkey off my back, fortunately I don't really have lasting problems (well . . . my wife may differ on that), any way my email is [email protected] if you want to get in touch w/me.


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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / If you could ask Newton or Semblers or whoever 1 question?
« on: July 01, 2001, 11:54:13 PM »
Miller and Stupid Mel
Why didn't your parents abort you?


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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / Center for Studies on Youth Policy, U Penn, of Social W
« on: June 01, 2001, 01:34:30 PM »
Fl Drug Policy Advisors
Here they are.  You wanted to know of anyone with public policy influence in Florida.  In all honesty since the invasion of the Tallahassee Taliban 2 years ago there has been one and only one policy maker.    However, here is a list of the official advisors.  Do you D.A.R.E. invite them to the conference?

GOVERNOR APPOINTS 11 TO STATEWIDE

DRUG POLICY ADVISORY COUNCIL

TALLAHASSEE-- Governor Jeb Bush today announced the following appointments to the Drug Policy Advisory Council:


Sheriff Charlie B. Wells, 54, of Parrish, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2003.

Shirley D. Coletti, 64, of Clearwater, president and founder of Operation PAR, Inc., for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2001.

Peggy B. Sapp, 57, of Miami, president and CEO of Informed Families, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2001.

Judge Frank D. Alvarez, 53, of Tampa, circuit judge, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2003.

Effie Alexander, 57, of Tallahassee, consultant, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2001.

Philip A. Diaz, 50, of Jacksonville, president and CEO of Gateway Community Services, Inc., for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2003.

John G. Daigle, 51, of Tallahassee, executive director of Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2003.

Babette F. Hankey, 34, of Oviedo, chief administrative officer for The Center for Drug-Free Living, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2001.

Gail E. Honea, 54, of Pensacola, executive director of Community Drug and Alcohol Council, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2003.

Ann Herberger, 37, of Miami, president of The Woods Herberger Group, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2001.

Martin J. Gutfreund, 57, of Bradenton, vice president of human resources for Uniroyal Technology Corporation, for a term beginning September 7, 1999 and ending September 7, 2003

The council will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the problem of substance abuse in the state of Florida and make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for developing and implementing a state drug-control strategy, funding substance-abuse programs and services and review different methodologies for evaluating programs.


FYI - The governor wants to define a unified system of care. (Not sure what that means yet) There are two pilot strategies for children's substance abuse (Currently being developed in Orlando, Palm Beach county.)  


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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / Finally talked to my other friend who was sent to wildnernes
« on: December 02, 2001, 12:26:10 AM »
Success Rates
Generally speaking, I think most treatment programs compute "success" rate based on program completion.  That is, they met the requirements to complete the program. Period.   This is not to be confused with any long term effects or happiness.  I recently requested info from "Growing Together" who said that that have a whopping success rate and would sent info regarding how they measure, but nothing arrived in the mail except some newspaper article along with program info.  The newspaper article was about a girl whose parents thought that she was using alcohol and mj, but found out after she was in the program that she was using 18 different substances.   They were ever so grateful because it "saved her life".  Most centers rely on ancedotal stories that appeal to the emotions to "prove" how successful they are. There was no quantitative measurement info even though I was told that they follow-up clients for 5 years.  When someone has been on treatment in prison or on probation, the recommitment rate is included as a measure of success.  This is a societal measure.  They can get regular drug tests while on probation, but once they are off there is no way to know if someone is truly drug free.   Individual success (relationships, finances, happiness, being drug free are difficult to measure)   Does anyone know of any surveys of former clients of long term treatments that have been done after 5 years out?  10 years out? And if someone is "successful" by whatever definition used -What are the "other" factors that contribute to that success?  Social Science research can be somewhat complex, because people are more complex than dogs.    How long can classical conditioning work in the real and complex world?


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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / oh yeah, I didn't answer all your questions . . .
« on: November 02, 2001, 12:49:35 AM »
Don't know about the mail.  You know they don't get mail.  Maybe from parents once its censored.  


Yes, there were kids at the doors.  I was told that anyone 18 and over can just leave.  Under 18 must have parents permission.

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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / answers to questions
« on: November 02, 2001, 12:45:44 AM »
Ok, let's see . . .


Yes, I saw the bathroom.  Just like most all of the mens rooms I have ever been in.  There was a shower w/no mirrors.

'

Yes, they had a rules rap and I read a list of rules.  The rules rap was similar to what we had . . . honesty, talking behind backs, etc.  They also had rules about clients rights; I thought that was pretty good.  The rule I heard was something about being able to call DCF (the old HRS).   I'm sorry I don't remember anythig out of the ordinary about the rules (that is if anything about these places is ordinary)


The drugs I observed the kids taking at drug time included inhalers and some type of pills.  The kids that took the pills seemed ok in that they weren't acting like jerks or misbehaviors.  I saw a couple of kids sleeping and not paying attention, but no one really paid them much attention except to tell them to pay attention, but it wasn't really obsessive.

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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / S.A.F.E
« on: November 01, 2001, 11:28:09 PM »
Ok - take this for what it's worth . . .


On Wednesday, September 26, I spent about 12 hours

"observing" at SAFE.   Loretta Parrish and I had been

emailing back and forth for a short time w/me asking

her about SAFE and the model that is used at SAFE and  is it different from Straight.  I asked Loretta if I could come and observe a day at SAFE and she said it was ok.   So . . . here is what I saw and what I think about SAFE.


Generally, I must say that SAFE appears to a really

calmed down Straight model.  They still use the phase

system (which personally I think is not good), w/a 6th

phase that is what Straight called the aftercare

portion of graduating.   The group was split up w/guys

and girls of opposite sides as it was at Straight.

When I was in Straight, there was only one group and

that was in St. Pete and it had about 300 or so kids.

At SAFE, I saw only about 20  kids.  They still do

that @#%$ up motivating that we did.  Most of the

raps were led by kids, although one was led by an

executive staff member that I was told did have some kind of degree (BS).   The rap that he led was about the "disease theory of drug abuse".    I didn't really agree w/some of the stuff that they discussed about the model, but some I did agree with.    Anyway, medication was handed out by a nurse,which is different than when I was at Straight (we had no nurse or at least I never

saw one).    The clients still do the confrontation

stuff with the yelling and some cursing, but it

appears that they must keep a certain distance  from

the other clients they are confronting.   Actually,

that is a good thing as one time when I was getting

"confronted", and I closed my eyes, I was head butted

by another client.  


The kids that were not on 3rd phase or higher had
"school", prior to lunch and while the book shelves

had books on math, economics, geography, science etc, from what I could tell, there was really no real class work going on, just kids reading or sleeping (which is more than we were allowed to do on 1st and 2nd phase). Clients did not hold each other's belt loops, or put their hands on shoulders (1st phasers w/responsibilties).  I also went to a host home and it appeared that the kids at this home did not get locked in - they just had windows and doors w/alarms.  I did see some stuff that gave me  concern, such as in the exercise rap, the rap leader said that they would have to do more exercises because some of the group was not trying hard enough.   I was told this was not the case, that the exercise was for a specific period of time whether or not the kids tryed hard or not.   Either way, the punishing of the group for the transgressions of a few is classic brainwashing, similar to what our GI's had done to

them during the Korean war.


Do I think the SAFE program is effective or does it really work?   No, I still think the model that is used is FOS (to use a Straight abbreviation).  I don't think it works in the long run . . . God knows it didn't for me or for most of the people I know that graduated from Straight.  As our good friend Ginger says " . . . effective, but not theraputic . .  ." (hope I got the quote right).  From what I saw, I think the abuse that can be proven (ie physical) and things that could get them sued have been for the most part, taken out.  I think the brainwashing is still there, an intregal part of the program.


Anyway, I think that SAFE will take care of itself in

the long or short run . . . the model is outdated,

kinda like 1960's technology and will go away.   The group had only about 20-25 kids.   I doubt they can make a profit w/that few clients.


I had an opportunity to speak w/a recent graduate who was kinda like an intern, working for SAFE.  I saw him update some kind of records and give kids permission to use the bathroom during study period.  He seemed like a really nice kid, about 20 years old I guess.   I can't remember anything shocking that he told me about the program.   Anyway, Loretta and clan were very civil to me; I don't think I was taken for a ride.  


Hey - let's have the next conference in Florida.  Dr. Trebach can come to Florida and we can gang up on the Florida legislature.  


Also, who is Phil Diaz?

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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / My visit to SAFE
« on: November 01, 2001, 11:58:26 PM »
Yes - I'm still here.

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Straight, Inc. and Derivatives / Mel Sembler, the next U.S. Ambassador to Italy?, No way Jose
« on: November 01, 2001, 11:35:53 PM »
unfortunately . . .
my friend, I think it's a done deal.  It makes me feel pretty poorly to know that a guy like him, with all that is known about him, gets appointed as ambassador.

Hey, let's have the next conference in Florida, how about in March during session.  


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