I'm not opposed to abusing heroine addicts. They are already abusing themselves, and the success rates I have read from Teen Challenge are phenomenal. The 68% success rate, while not as good as the 85% that they report (68% is based on drug tests, 85% is based on self-reporting, both are based on information gleaned from people who left Teen Challenge five years prior), is still incredible. I can't find a site with numbers, but I think I remember the numbers nationwide being something in the order of 50%. 68% beats 50% by a relatively wide margin.
I think that the benefits to society of getting people off heroine outweigh the needs of heroine addicts to be respected or treated as anything but children. From the experience of two friends of mine who went through teen challenge (I found out after my last post about them, last year), the "abuse" is well done and effective.
Regarding their success numbers: Firstly, they pick their clients. Secondly, the 85% number is also only for people who "complete" the program. It ignores the over 50% who drop out or are kicked out. It's also based on an entirely self-selected sample - who knows what the response rate to the survey was. It's complete and utter bullshit, not to be given any weight whatsoever when it comes to determining the facts
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Well said. I also know, from Andy's personal experience, that Olver tends to write back with very coherent emails (at least he has to everything Andy has sent him). I'd be interested to hear his response to you.
I've heard a little about things like this but you clearly know far more about it than I do - thank you for sharing.
* An In-Depth Series on Abuse at Teen Challenge *
anonymous
June 9 2008, 09:51:53 UTC
For those of you who prefer to investigate Teen Challenge instead of just taking someone's word about how "wonderful" this program is, I suggest you read the following links so you can make an informed decision before you send a loved one to Teen Challenge
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I think that the benefits to society of getting people off heroine outweigh the needs of heroine addicts to be respected or treated as anything but children. From the experience of two friends of mine who went through teen challenge (I found out after my last post about them, last year), the "abuse" is well done and effective.
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https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
As should anyone who's rep isn't in this list:
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] (introduced 4/23/2008)
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] - 4/23/2008
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 4/23/2008
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 4/23/2008
Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] - 4/23/2008
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 4/23/2008
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 4/23/2008
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] - 4/23/2008
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] - 4/23/2008
Rep Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [VA-3] - 4/23/2008
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 4/23/2008
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I've heard a little about things like this but you clearly know far more about it than I do - thank you for sharing.
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