MEDICAL WHISTLEBLOWER Abuse and Neglect in U.S.A. Residential Treatment Centers A Systemic Problem Dr. Janet L. Parker DVM 8/14/2011 Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights..." This is a preliminary report on the abuse and neglect of persons in residential treatment for “substance abuse” in the U.S.A. There have been violations of human rights, lack of investigation, prosecution and punishment of the offenders. This prevailing permissive environment has given de jure or de facto amnesty to those who violate human rights. Starting in the 1970’s there were residential treatment facilities for teens that were found to be abusive. The SEED, Straight Inc. and its derivatives, Roloff Homes, WWASPS and, more recently, Teen Challenge were adjudicated “guilty” of human rights abuses. This report explores the ways these perpetrators of abuse have used the political system to protect themselves and exploit loopholes in the law to expand their network of abusive residential treatment facilities for youth. Abuse and Neglect in U.S.A. Residential Treatment Centers ―I wish to acknowledge the courage, perseverance and resilience of those who were closest to this national tragedy and thank Angela Smith, Wesley Fager, Richard ―Ray‖ Bradbury, Kelly Mathews, Marcus Chatfield, Todd Eckelberger, Alex Layne, Christine Flannery, William Earnshaw, Sr. and all the others who shared with me their stories and I also wish to express my appreciation to Judith I. Grant, MSN, RN, CS, who graciously proofread and edited portions of this report.‖ Dr. Janet Parker DVM ―We believe that the United States of America must be an example of moral leadership and integrity for the world community. We cannot, as a nation, be that example if we fail to protect our own children or those for whom we accept responsibility. Incidents in many of these teen residential treatment facilities have gravely compromised America‘s moral authority. We ask that the United States of America, its legislative bodies, its courts, and its executive branch, not only articulate the moral and ethical values that made the U.S.A. a world leader in human rights, but act decisively and proactively to protect human rights standards. We ask that our nation‘s leaders create and enforce more effective legal policies for protection of the vulnerable. We must, as a nation, take proper action so as to 1) prevent the use of cruel and degrading treatment and torture, 2) embrace and advance standards of international human rights law, and 3) honor the dignity of all human persons. We also request public acknowledgement of the terrible wrongs done to these innocent victims of abuse. We ask that a viable legal pathway be established for reparation and redress. We respectfully request U.S. President Barack Obama to provide leadership for our nation that honors the ethical and moral values embodied in our Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments. These principles respect and honor the human rights of all.‖ Dr. Janet Parker DVM Medical Whistleblower Advocacy Network 2 Abuse and Neglect in U.S.A. Residential Treatment Centers Table of Contents Introduction: .................................................................................. 8 US Congressional investigations don‘t stop abusive rehab centers ............ 8 Human Rights Defenders and Mandated Reporters of abuse have no protection and no plausible legal recourse. .......................................... 13 Long term effects on survivors/victims of abuse .......................... 16 Voices of the Survivors/Victims .......................................................... 18 World Wide Association of Specialty Programs & Schools ............ 31 WWASPS – allegations of abuse closed many overseas facilities ............. 33 WWASPS - numerous allegations of abuse closed many USA facilities ..... 34 WWASPS programs are still in operation ............................................. 35 Why should we be concerned? ........................................................... 35 Human rights abuses were reported............................................. 37 United Nations - Cruel, Degrading Treatment & Torture ........................ 37 The New Freedom Commission on Mental Health and TMAP ................... 38 Teen Screen .................................................................................... 40 Straight Inc. Human rights abuses ..................................................... 42 History of substance abuse treatment .......................................... 47 Synanon therapeutic model ............................................................... 47 Matrix House ................................................................................... 48 Ruth Fox, founder of the American Society for Addiction Medicine .......... 48 Human subjects abuse ...................................................................... 50 A.A. philosophy of addiction treatment ............................................... 51 The Salvation Army .......................................................................... 53 Substance abuse treatment professionals .................................... 55 Collaborative officials at all levels of government ................................. 55 Fellows of ASAM – FASAM certification ................................................ 56 3 Abuse and Neglect in U.S.A. Residential Treatment Centers Creating a new ―Board‖ Specialty ....................................................... 58 Establishment of state Physicians Health Program (PHP) ....................... 59 The Federation of State Physicians Health Programs ............................. 60 Lack of adherence to accepted standards regarding DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria ............................................................................................ 67 Mind-Control and 12 Steps philosophy ................................................ 69 George Talbott‘s abuse of Dr. Leon Masters ......................................... 70 Department of Justice and judicial accountability ........................ 73 Straight Inc. & Melvin Sembler ..................................................... 75 The abusive rehab program called Straight Inc. ................................... 75 Mind-Control experiments funded by federal taxes ............................... 76 Wesley Fager – TheStraights.com ...................................................... 77 Richard Bradbury – ―Straight‖ Survivor and Activist .............................. 77 Straight Inc. avoids payment of damages to survivors/victims ............... 78 Drug Free America Foundation ........................................................... 79 Straight Inc. evasion of investigation and prosecution .......................... 79 Reverend Doctor Miller Newton – KIDS of Bergen County (NJ) ............... 80 Bergen KIDS Program now AARC in Canada ........................................ 85 Sembler hides Straight Inc. assets from U.S.A. Courts .......................... 87 Did Straight Inc. actually shut down? ................................................. 87 What is a cult? .............................................................................. 89 International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) .................................... 92 Political protection of Faith-based residential treatment abuse ... 93 Sembler as Finance Chairman of the Republican National Committee...... 93 The Clary Report .............................................................................. 94 Corporations are not human persons............................................ 96 Citizens United vs. FEC ..................................................................... 96 Lester Roloff – Roloff Homes ...................................................... 100 Lester Roloff – start of a career in teen rehabilitation ......................... 100 Complaints of child abuse surface .................................................... 101 4 Abuse and Neglect in U.S.A. Residential Treatment Centers The ―Christian Alamo‖ ..................................................................... 102 Evading prosecution through shuffled ownership ................................ 104 Questioning the constitutionality of state licensure ............................. 104 Political power from the pulpit ......................................................... 104 Death of Lester Roloff - Rebirth of Roloff Homes in Missouri ................ 106 Alternative accreditation of Faith-based facilities ................................ 108 Effects of loss of regulatory control .................................................. 109 Abuse at Roloff Homes continues ..................................................... 110 Weakened control of Faith-based social services ................................ 111 Political motives affect public policy .................................................. 111 Don Stewart Ministries and charity fraud ................................... 113 Southwest Indian Foundation and Don Stewart Association ................. 113 History of the Don Stewart Association ............................................. 114 Teen Challenge ........................................................................... 115 Teen Challenge – high level political protection .................................. 115 Teen Challenge follows the Straight Inc. example .............................. 116 Medical vs. Faith-based