Update May 2, 2012: Follow up interview with mother, Dynesha, about her experience on the Dr Drew Show - Begins minute 11:05.
- Also see: Save Victoria Campaign!
- Stream | Download an interview with a DRA survivor
- Read what other former students of DRA have to say about the "therapeutic" interventions of DRA
On Jan 30th 2012, the Dr. Drew Show lowered its ethical standards by providing a marketing platform to businesses that profiteer off the unnecessary and inappropriate institutionalization of youth.
During the show, Dr. Drew attempts to persuade the mother of a struggling teen to send him away to a treatment institution in Utah for a year. When the mom, Dynesha, insists she needs time to work with her son at home, Drew relies on fear tactics and condescension, asserting how "shocking" it is that she would choose not to abandon her child, despite his own urgency as a "doctor recommending it."
Fortunately for her son, Alont'a, he was spared placement when Dynesha respected him enough to ask:
"If I let you go, do you feel like I'm walking away from you?"
With a nod from him, Dynesha had her answer, stating: "OK then, that's it right there. There's nothing to talk about."
Unfortunately, CAFETY members who are also former students of the Utah institution were not so fortunate. They have chosen to transform tragedy into hope by speaking out for the sake of protecting other children at risk of placement.
- Dr Drew Show Clip - The Opportunity to Save His Future
- More on Dr. Drew's problematic referrals
Dr. Drew provided us with good reason to fear for the safety of other children when he made the assertion to Alont'a, his family, and to his viewers that DRA is the "kind of program kids like him need” when no scientific basis exists to support this claim. Drew even goes so far as to pressure his guest to place her son by calling into question her judgement as a parent.
When Dynesha chose from her heart, she was responding to what we all know to be true - institutional care can never take the place of a loving parent or caregiver. It is this principle CAFETY recognizes when we give credence to the human right of every child to be raised in a family, where their needs are provided for so they may remain at home and included in the community. What should be shocking to Dr. Drew is the possibility that any parent might one day be asked to choose, nevermind be pressured by a professional into choosing, to abandon their child so they may receive care.
Dr. Drew’s misleading statements about the benefits and his failure to disclose the risks of harm of placement at DRA places the lives of countless youth at unnecessary risk of serious harm and death. His additional pressuring of Dynesha was nothing short of appalling. Both call into question his ethical standards.
We ask for your help in spreading the word about the need for:
The (Re)Education of Dr. Drew
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PLEASE SUPPORT THE (RE)EDUCATION OF DR. DREW
FACEBOOK POST: Join the CAFETY Campaign: The (Re)Education of Dr. Drew Pinsky. Abuse is not treatment. Our children deserve better than institutional care. Dr: Stop misinforming the public and retract your baseless claims!
Join CAFETYs Campaign: (Re)Education of Dr Drew. Abuse is not tx. Institutions not a solution. @Drdrewhln #childabuse http://t.co/pI3yFYZV |
- Let Dr. Drew know you would like him to educate himself and then publicly
· Retract his assertions because they have no basis in fact
· Acknowledge the potential risks of placement at DRA and programs like it and
· Recognize the superiority of community based services (i.e. wrap-around) because:
· they do not perpetuate stigma
· they keep families together and children in the community and
· existing evidence demonstrates its efficacy
Dr. Drew Show - Contact Info:
- CNN, Show feedback form
- Dr. Drew blog about bullying
- Dr Drew general blog
- Send Video Question to Dr Drew
- Dr Drew Facebook
- Dr Drew Twitter: @drdrewhln @drdrew
2. File a Complaint with the California Medical Board
CAFETY's Concerns
Diamond Ranch Academy
Contact with family and advocates:
· “No contact for a minimum of two weeks, then a therapy phone call carefully monitered every other week. A therapist oversaw the call, and would abruptly end the call and punish you should you describe the place in a negative fashion, or ask to leave.” -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
· “you couldnt write your parents but once a week and you couldnt say anything about being restrained or going home. you only got one 15 min. phone call every two weeks only to your legal guardians.” -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
· “One phone call every other week, a visit every month starting after a minimum of ten weeks, and two home visits.” -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
· "Visits with parents had to be earned." – DRA Survivor 2010-2011
Degrading Treatment as Punishment
Traumatizing and dehumanizing interventions were used:
All of the time, such as:
o Denial of use of bathroom and the use of threats/scare tactics -DRA Survivors 2005 – 2007, 2011
o As well as denial of access to food and water -DRA Survivor 2011
· "They had a punishment in which you were outside from 6:15 am to 8:15 pm, doing manual labor, pulling a heavy cart around for miles, in total silence, and permission had to be asked to do anything. Literally, anything. You were in line of sight of a staff twenty-four seven. One kid said something mildly disrespectful, and ended up out there for a week." –DRA Survivor 2010-2011
· "Often" forced to do hard labor and "No breaks were allowed" and children would be "punished if you were unable to complete the assigned tasks" –DRA Survivor 2010-2011
· "I had three suicide attempts there. After each attempt, I was treated like dirt, and punished. No psychiatric help was offered. No sort of therapy ensued until well after." –DRA Survivor
Seclusion and Restraints
Seclusion and Restraints at DRA have been used for reasons even mental health professionals supportive of their use would deem as grossly inappropriate.
Seclusion and Restraints might be used at DRA if a student is:
· Breaking a program rule, saying something disrespectful, cursing, or making a face. –DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011
One student provides reasons for use of restraints:
· “1.not doing strip search 2. not pushing cart 3. talking back 4. not walking around the track” “for 20-30 minutes at a time” which resulted in “a cyst formed on my wrist.” -DRA Survivor 2005 – 2007
One student provides reasons for use of seclusion:
· “secluded because of “not doing what im told it was called 'focus center'” -DRA Survivor 2005 – 2007
In any of the activities that you participated in, did you ever feel that your:
Physical health or life was at risk or in danger?
o Often -DRA Survivor 2011
Mental health was at risk?
o All of the time -DRA Survivor 2011
In what ways, if any, do you believe the programs helped you?
“none, I seemed worse after treatment“ -DRA Survivor 2009-2010
In what ways, if any, do you believe the program harmed you?
“I became more impulsive, angry, and apathetic“ -DRA Survivor 2009-2010
“At first their treatment services were harmful, then I grew wary and found ways to avoid their treatment. “ -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
Advice to Parents considering placement:
“dont send them to diamond ranch academy“ -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
“Don't do it, it'll only cause more relationship problems“ -DRA Survivor 2009-2010
Advice to children in placement
“im sorry for what your going to have to go through.” -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
PTSD
"While outwardly, the transition was seamless, I have trouble sleeping and often experience unpleasant flashbacks, and frequent nightmares." -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
Since leaving/graduating the program:
I am easily upset
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007
- Sometimes 2009-2010
I have difficulty falling and/or staying asleep.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010, 2010-2011
I forget things more easily than I used to before I was in the program. -DRA Survivors LL
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010, 2010-2011
I often feel tense.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
My breathing and heart rate seem to quicken for no apparent reason.
- Often -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2009-2010
I have problems maintaining my attention when doing some tasks.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
I often feel depressed.
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
I often feel disorganized when trying to complete tasks.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2010-2011
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2009-2010
I experience flashbacks during my waking and sleeping hours.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2010-2011
I have nightmares about my experience.2 all time, sometimes
- Often -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
I have experienced panic attacks.
- Often -DRA Survivor 2009-2010, 2010-2011
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
I have a difficult time concentrating.
- Often-DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2010-2011
I don’t go to certain events or places because I am worried that I won’t be able to feel comfortable being there.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I engage in risky and self-destructive behavior.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007
- Sometimes - DRA Survivor 2009-2010, 2010-2011
I use alcohol to numb my thoughts and pain.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I use drugs to numb my thoughts and keep from being overly anxious.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I experience sudden mood swings (i.e., anger, anxious, feelings of shame).
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I often feel like I am going crazy or am out of control.
- Sometimes -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2010-2011
I find it difficult to form close relationships with others.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
- Sometimes - DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I feel a need to control everything in my life.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I find it difficult to deal with stressful situations.
- Often - DRA Survivors 2005-2007
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2009-2010
I have a hard time communicating my feelings with others.
- Often -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
- Sometimes -DRA Survivors 2009-2010, 2010-2011
I am often tired and don’t have much energy to do things.
- Often -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
- Sometimes -DRA Survivors 2009-2010, 2010-2011
I often don’t feel well (i.e., headaches, stomach problems, back and/or neck problems).
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
- Sometimes - DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I am not as interested in living my life as I was before being in the program.
- Sometimes - DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I often feel alone.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
- Sometimes -DRA Survivor 2010-2011
I often feel helpless.
- Often -DRA Survivor 2005-2007
- Sometimes -DRA Survivors 2009-2010, 2010-2011
I have a problem relaxing.
- Often -DRA Survivors 2005-2007, 2009-2010
- Sometimes - DRA Survivor 2010-2011
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