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Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Interview with a Survivor
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
The bulk of the following audio clip (from last Friday’s Real Talk Live on WAIF radio) features Kris, who was placed in a treatment facility like Kids Helping Kids when she was a teenager. Listen to someone speak first-hand about the kinds of behaviors this organization apparently endorses under the name of rehabilitation.
File: 17.8MB—19min, 23sec
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14 Feb 2006 at 11:21 am | #
One thing you should ask is if they now do drug testing on all incoming teens. That should sort mistakes like Chris from occuring.
14 Feb 2006 at 01:07 pm | #
Thanks for that tip.
14 Feb 2006 at 09:22 pm | #
In my case in Straight, I honestly can’t recall if I was given a drug test or not. If they hadn’t, then that was unethical and irresponsible to say the least. If I had been given a drug test, then obviously I would have been clean and they disregarded the results, which is still unethical and irresponsible.
I do remember that my parents were told that I had all the ‘symptoms’ of a 4th stage druggie (whatever that means). “Staff” also informed my parents that I was either using drugs and lying about it, OR, I would eventually start using drugs. So my admission into Straight was based on an unqualified teenage staff’s belief that I was either lying or the teenage fortune-tellers declared the program was necessary to prevent my inevitable future drug use(kids like me were referred to as dry druggies). Sounds absurd right? It is absurd, but it is what happened in my case. I wonder how often history has repeated itself in Straight and KHK?
As far as KHK is concerned, even if drug screens are administered, a positive result could mean the child used for the first time recently enough to show up, or it could mean chronic use. I’d like to know how the so-called professional staff makes this important distinction? A child who is merely experimenting does not need such radical and harsh intervention, in my opinion. That is not to say I think experimenting should be dismissed by parents, it should be cause for concern, but not cause to overreact, panic, and resort to such drastic measures as KHK as a first step. Mere experimenting is not necessarily an indication of drug addiction. I am more inclined to believe that in some cases, like it or not, it is a phase and will be outgrown. However, I recognize the addiction can occur and become problematic for the child. That said, I believe KHK is not fit for even the most chronic adolescent drug addicts. I say find another alternative.
14 Feb 2006 at 10:17 pm | #
Dean -
Cincinnati Straight Survivor makes some good points. Follow up questions (if they do perform drug tests would be:
- What kind of drug test? Urine tests are good for identifying short term use. Hair tests are good for identifying long term use. Ideally they should perform both.
- Has anyone ever tested negative? Have they ever rejected someone from the program for not having a drug problem?
- Do they think every kid should go through their program?
15 Feb 2006 at 02:47 am | #
Why was KHK charging $1000 for assessments before the ISAC Complaint last year and now they only charge $200. ????? And what is their idea of an assessment? That paperwork is no more complicated than an application for employment at McDonalds.
15 Feb 2006 at 03:08 am | #
A copy of a letter I figure people may like to see… name was purged, but, text is 100%
Subj: Re: Boehner Contact form.
Date: 6/27/2005 10:42:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
June 27, 2005
Dear XXXXX:
Thank you for contacting me regarding my involvement
with the Kids Helping Kids Organization. It is good to hear from
you.
Kids Helping Kids is an organization that strives to assist
teens 13 to 21 to overcome drug abuse and alcohol problems and
return to healthy, productive lifestyles. Along with Ambassador
Rob Portman, Senator Jim Bunning, and Congressmen Steve
Chabot and Ken Lucas; I am on the Honorary Board of Directors.
It is unfortunate that this organization is needed in this day and
age, however I am encouraged by its ability to help teens in the
Cincinnati area overcome a difficult disease. I am proud to be on
the Honorary Board of such an important resource for our
community.
Thank you again for contacting me regarding my
community involvement. Please continue to keep me informed of
the issues that concern you.
Sincerely,
John A. Boehner