I had friends in high school who were sent to a few of these types of camps, and bounced from psychologist to psychiatrist to therapist every few months when they didn't immediately turn him into Beaver Cleaver with heavy psychotropic meds. We had no idea what his personality would be like - depending on what chemical slurry his doctor-of-the-month chose, he could be anything from manic and insomniac to morose and zombified. Or prickly and quick to anger. Or happy as a hippy on Ecstasy.

All because his parents couldn't deal with him as he was, and wanted a little slave.

He's on permanent disability now. They can't tell how much of his mental problems are original and how much are from the drugs he'd been taking since he was 9 years old. Most psych drugs don't work, or have unexpected effects.

True American gothic, 21st century style.

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I totally agree with the need to regulate these "treatment" facilities and get kids out of there. However, I have worked at many "regulated" treatment facilities that were by no means good but were not AS physcially and emotionally deplorable. I think this issue needs more rehabilation and therapy from loving compassion. Having worked in these places, I can say that it is not practical to have 24/7 hour access to a hotline. Of course it can be manipulated, but more importantly, how does this address the real issues? Trying to establish a safe environment is about systemic change, from within and out of the facility.

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What did happen to sending you kid to summer camp where they met every variety of kid in the known "circle" and "cliques" of the world of kids and were "forced" into activities with them.

You know, tough stuff like sharing cabins, midnight canoeing and skinny dipping, sneaking to the girls cabins and camp counselors that were friends, confidents and psychologists all in one?

When all of a sudden did childhood need to be "cured?"

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The majority of abusive "residential treatment" centers are faith-based,; Xtian, usually fundies.
I think we can guaran-fracking-tee that none of them will be investigated.

Yeah, there's something truly sick when the largest cult on earth gets to set cultural "norms" then "treat" deviants from that perverse and sick "norm." I look forward to the horror show... and where's our god dammed impeachment and criminal prosecution of the Junta, dammit?!

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All the regulation in the world will not solve this problem. In many areas of life there has been regulation called for, and enacted, and still the problems get worse or at least do not get any better.

As for the abuse of children and teenagers, I think government is the worst offender. Look at all the "zero tolerance" policies in public schools. I think most public high school students will agree with me that there are far too many rules and problems still abound.

As for foster care and group homes...don't even get me started.

As for the "behavior-changing" school and camp industry, I think the main problem here is that "minors" have no rights, but are treated by the law as chattel. You can hold them captive and inflict any rules or punishments you want to.

The solution is to *repeal* minor status laws (or at least the ones relevant here) so that these *human beings,* who have never been convicted of any crime, are treated under the law as any other citizens, and can *REFUSE* to be taken to these places and then if they do go, they can *WALK OUT.*

This is the problem. It is illegal to kidnap and falsely imprison adults and that is the main reason why you and I are not in these institutions. We could WALK.

That the solution. If these kids could WALK, then these places would have to treat them like the human beings they are, or else go broke and close their doors.

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We can set standards and regulations which may eliminate some abusive treatmant however, untill we hold respect for all people in all circumstances as the major value of our country, those who have a perverse need to see living beings suffer will find work in these places. To excuse the practitioner of these acts for any reason is to collude with the perpetrator. I include all occasions of one person with physical or mental control of another. Looking closely you will find this perverse and even evil behavior in many situations which we continue to accept as inevitable in the care of our children,elderly and infirm as well as prisoners.

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Even psychotic Arizona sheriff Joe wound up having to throw his former buddy in jail for killing a kid with kindness at his wilderness camp.To listen to a parent talking of how her 10 year old had been saved from a life of crime made me gag.If a parent is so incapable of handling a child that they are willing to let any thing happen as long as there's a change.They must have done a lousy job from day one.This society has a split personality.One the one hand,they want their kids drug free at any cost.On the other hand they fill them with psychotropic meds that are far worse than the self medicating the kids are doing after class.This society has lost it's way and our children are paying the price.Do not give your kids to strangers that talk tough.They're children for god's sake.

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If you want to save your love ones from addiction, admit them to treatment centers. There are lots of great resources that will surely help them recover.

_________________
wilbert
Suffering from an addiction. This website has a lot of great resources and treatment centers.
http://www.treatmentcenters.org

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