| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/13/2009 5:04:21 AM |
I had to work tonight, and missed the broadcast.
I am assuming I will be able to find it on some kind of podcast via the CBC site.
It is airing tonight on the Fifth Estate, the episode is appropriately titled, "Powerless".
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/13/2009 8:11:14 PM | I am watching and wondering...is this Canada or Russia?
Very scarey stuff!
Sex with animals? What the??? The poor kids...
I hope something good starts to happen or I am not going to watch past 9:30! | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/13/2009 8:13:25 PM | I'm watching it too.
10 minutes into it and I already feel sick.
I'm going to watch it all the way thru tho, this place needs to be exposed, people need to see what's being done to their kids when they enter 'treatment'. | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/13/2009 8:41:00 PM | This is disturbing. Is it true?
Are any kids actually helped in this treatment?
Is this place still open?
I can't believe this is happening in Canada!! This has to be Russia or something? | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/13/2009 8:43:23 PM | | It's still open and a few of us on here know an AARC survivor. Scary stuff. You think you're helping your child and your subjecting them to criminal abuse and loss of all human rights. | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/13/2009 9:05:28 PM | Yup, Di's right, quite a few of us here know a mom of an AARC survivor (that's a good term Di) and yeah, some of the things I've heard from mom are just mind boggling.
I hope this show is enough for people to sit up and take notice and start pushing for change.
No child should ever have to endure what those kids in that program do.
Just sickening. | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/13/2009 9:14:02 PM |
some of the things I've heard from mom are just mind boggling.
And as reported by the Fifth Estate very true! Not that I ever doubted her, but I just couldn't believe she was going through that in Canada. Canada! Wow. | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/13/2009 9:18:29 PM | No, I never doubted her either... I remember when I first met her, all she was going thru... I remember when he came home, how excited they all were. Now I'm seeing the bullsh!t they're doing long after he's left the program.
Just today actually she emailed me a chat that her son had with one of these cult freaks (success story I 'spose) and it made my blood boil what this person was saying to her son.
Even when you leave the program, they still harass you.
This place needs to be shut down. Permanently.
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/14/2009 2:19:14 PM | ^^^^ Thanks guys! I really appreciate your support!
Fifth Estate did a great job with the limited time they had (1 hour) I swear they could have gone on for weeks if they had tried to cover EVERYTHING, including what happened to us.
What happened is my son left the "rehab center" not gone on to work there, not been attending further meetings at the program nor has he joined the alumni. My son refused to be videotapped by 5th Estate or have any of his experiences included in the show. I can perfectly see why.
Just one example of how "cultish" this program really is.
To touch on the harassment that's being sent our way since my son has left the program please see this:
AARC Supporter:
your big day is on friday you ungrateful little f*cker. I still cannot believe that you sold out after how much aarc helped u man. It makes me super sad to think that we as an aarc organization helped you when you were just gonna spend the rest of your miserable life in jail. and you just turned around and ****ed all of the people
My son replied with:
Ya i know what fifth estate is
but i didnt say sh*t to them i refused to talk to go on camera and make statements
you can watch i wont be on it
but my mom might be.
but yea if thats all you had to say
pcee
AARC supporter:
and your sure living an honest life arent ya
you just lied right there
hahaha man i hope you live an unhappy life...actually i dont hope it. its gonna happen
They also have him tagged as "traitor" in pics on facebook with other AARC clients.
Can you imagine what they would say if he actually HAD gone on the show?
Anyone interested in reading further harassment is welcome to read the comments submitted here:
http://www.mcgilldaily.com/article/3174--does-my-teen-need-help-
A legitimate facility would never post things like this after a client successfully completed treatment and carried on with their life.
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/14/2009 8:35:19 PM | Birdie... I totally agree with your statement.: "Maybe it would depend on your relationship to that person? If it were my child, I would do it, absolutely. If it were a friend... maybe not, it wouldn't be my place."
We are talking about children here, with life threatening addictions. Of course, it is controversial. But any parent who has watched their child slip into that black hole, knows there is nothing that you wouldn't do to break that pattern and try to bring them back to life. If the conventional options worked they wouldn't be slipping off the edge.
It is already life threatening. Of course parents will take what drastic measures need to be taken as they try to stop them from falling. No Addict is happy with intervention measures. That's why the addiction owns them. Sometimes, caring means taking a more difficult approach. The warm fuzzy hugs don't always work when you are wrestling with demons. I think it is a courageous and wonderful program and I am aware of several young people who have come through this program and now lead healthy well adjusted lives, and love their families that walked this road with them. I am glad there are people in the world with courage. Love often requires difficult choices. | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 12:01:15 AM | I followed your link after watching the show and was baffled by anyone that would defend the AARC. Seriously... it is obvious that anyone that argued against you was an AARC rep or staff member...
I had you in my thoughts the whole time I watched the show.
I feel for you.
Those people are crazy.
(I would like more info if you are so inclined(pm me for phone number)) | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 7:58:02 AM | edmonfella - pm'ing you
Str8 - It's parents like you that keep the money train a'rolling.
I have to say it's not "children here with life threatening addictions". This place will take in anyone they can convince needs their services and who have $50,000 to fork out.
I don't think I saw a truly addicted kid in the place when I was there, my own included. We went there for mental health treatment, counseling and family therapy.
The age range was 12 to 21. My own son at 17 was put in charge of a TWENTY ONE year old "newcomer".
Glad I don't have parents like you! Actually I take that back. AARC depends on the fact that parents don't have a CLUE what they're dealing with when they turn to AARC.
Taken from another forum here:
When the basic assumption upon intake is that the "client" is minmizing their usage of drugs and lying in general and that their "bottom needs to be raised" should show how the cards are stacked against the "client" from the git go. From the beginning, new clients are forced to make up past incidents if they are just plain too young to have the usage required to be an addict. THEIR MUST BE SIGNIFICANT USAGE FOR ANYONE TO BE ADDICTED TO DRUGS!!! Kids are adaptable - they quickly learn when to cry, how to discuss any real or made up usage and after a while it becomes habit. The majority of "sober" graduates I have met are on staff, highly judgemental of any one who relapses or does not toe the AARC line, participates in an amazing amount of Treatment Talk, uses self-critcal catch phrases and comes across as a cult member on leave. Sadly, in AA they are praised for coming forth so early in life and changing, not having to go through years of active addiction - but then how could they be addicts? Crazy.
Sadly my son rewrote the past and came to believe trumped up confessions.
More discussion here:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/02/13/abuse.html
here:
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/252786/anyone-see-the-episode-about-aarc-on-fifth-estate/
and here:
http://fornits.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=7
I'm just glad this story got out!
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 9:04:11 AM | | I went and looked at the piece on the cbc website after reading this thread...and something struck me (well two things really)...no wonder they have an 80% success rate! They admit people who aren't addicted, so no wonder when they leave that they don't "go back" to the drugs/alcohol, and they only include those who have completed the program in their calculation of the success rate. Looks awfully sketchy to me! | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 10:49:48 AM | Look at even the Remple's story. I attended that guys graduation. While in treatment I asked his mother some very appropriate, but critical questions and she left the room upset when she wasn't able to answer them.
In the documentary, Jordan Remple's parents clearly state that they DID NOT KNOW their son was an addict and they are grateful to AARC for bringing it to their attention.
I think the family may have a clue if their son is a stage 4 addict! | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 10:54:39 AM | How does this work?
Six conditions are simultaneously present in a thought reform program:
1. Obtaining substantial control over an individual's time and thought content, typically by gaining control over major elements of the person's social and physical environment.
2. Systematically creating a sense of powerlessness in the person.
3. Manipulating a system of rewards, punishment. and experiences in such a way as to promote new learning of an ideology or belief system advocated by management.
4. Manipulating a system of rewards, punishments, and experiences in such a way as to inhibit observable behavior that reflects the values and routines of life organization the individual displayed prior to contact with the group.
5. Maintaining a closed system of logic and an authoritarian structure in the organization.
6. Maintaining a non-informed state existing in the subject. | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 11:22:00 AM | Why can't people just talk about it.... drugs that is. Kids aren't stupid (they know whats out there and so do we adults) and if they get the thought in their heads of trying a substance, it's only a matter of time before they follow through. But why not hammer home the idea that these are recreational substances and shouldn't be used on a daily basis?
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that that I'm all for kids shooting up or hitting the pipe. (for the record, I have experimented on rare occasions with the softer drugs out there but haven't touched them since my early 20s) But it seems whenever negatives are attached to whatever topic, some kids are drawn to it... or influenced by their peers to disregard parents warnings.
And kids are learning about them at a far younger age compared to when I was growing up mainly from TV and music influences. But I think parents are better off making kids aware of the risks, stressing the fact that they would rather not have them follow that path (can't think of many parents that will back their kid up lol) but if they do, not to get carried away. People create their own bad habits like gambling, alcohol, eating 20 pounds of food per meal, being permaglued to their computers, and of course drugs. Too much of a one thing can be harmful like the saying goes.
Isn't this a better alternative then the don't do that/stay away from period speech. Parents have to overcome their fear over this topic and say just a tad more then just don't. Just my opinion of course. | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 2:15:01 PM | I watched the episode and I'm annoyed that so many high profile individuals are involved in this organization.
I'm annoyed that this occurs with donated dollars. I'm annoyed that the justice systems considers this an alternative to jail time.
I just can't begin to list all the reasons this organization annoys me. Dean Foss annoys the crap out of me.
In fact, when I googled Stage 4 Addictions, I couldn't even come up with a list of references on that term. I've never heard it before and I was surprised to hear it in reference to addictions.
Cnd Girl, good on you for speaking out and bringing the attention on this place to others. If someone I knew even considered AARC as an option, I'd have to give them all the facts, both sides of the storey and hopefully dissuede them from even thinking about their kid in this place.
Just freaking blows my mind watching that fund raiser when folks were dropping 100,000 at time to support teenagers treating each other for drug addictions. Who's making the money then? | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 4:12:13 PM | You can view the tax return here:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/sec/SrchInput04Render-e?bn=132199480RR0001&name=AARC+SOCIETY+(ALBERTA+ADOLESCENT+RECOVERY+CENTRE)
Very interesting.
They went from a few thousands of dollars in revenue several years ago... to 6 odd million last year for the same number of about 30 kids.
Where's the money go for sure!!! | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 6:15:08 PM | Well, when something stinks and no one is getting the help they really need, you can be sure someone is lining their pockets.
Dean Foss perhaps..?? Wonder what his net worth is these days? | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/16/2009 6:48:23 PM | A pretty interesting read on the CRA website Cndn. I wonder if they have any openings? Nah, couldn't do it. I shave with a blade and need to be able to look at myself in a mirror.
Just too dangerous. | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/18/2009 2:03:56 AM | Lots on the news right now about this, and in the legislature!
From the 6pm news:
AARC was on the 6pm news.
You can watch it here: http://www.cbc.ca/video/popup.html?http://www.cbc.ca/ondemand/newsatsix/calgary.asx
The AARC bit starts at 19:30 on the clip | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/18/2009 2:33:34 AM | Harry Chase's request for accountability from Children's Services and Health and Wellness
From 39:15 - 42:50 in the clip.
As you can see he gets NO answers.
http://media.assembly.ab.ca/ArchiveVideo/200902171325_Video.asf | |
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| Forcing Addicts into treatment
Posted: 2/19/2009 11:37:07 AM | I created a petition at the request of a survivor, please support survivors of the AARC program by signing the petition here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/AARCSurv/petition.html
Thank you! | |
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