Official: Center continuing to abuse it’s young patients
Young people at a trouble-plagued drug rehabilitation center are still being abused and physically assaulted, a state official said today. This means KIDS of El Paso County Inc. may still lose its license on May 12, the official said. The 2-year-old program has failed to correct some of the 56 deficiencies. the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse cited in January, according to a 222-page report completed last week. A team of investigators visited KIDS in March to conduct an unannounced inspection. A similar investigation was conducted last year after complaints were received of abuses in the program. ***, legal counsel for the state agency, said that according to the latest report, some of the practices used in the program are still abusive. The report shows there is evidence that clients are being physically assaulted. "There is some evidence of that ... and other defects they need to change," she said. The inspection further revealed that the abuse is going on mostly among clients, *** said. "It's kids taking care of kids," she said. KIDS has until May 12 to respond to the findings. ***, the commission's executive director, will decide whether KIDS keeps its license, *** said. Some of the allegations that were cited in January after a nearly yearlong probe and that still dog the program are:
- KIDS mistreated, abused, and neglected clients.
- Clients were held against their will.
- KIDS staff' restrained, hurt and physically assaulted clients.
- KIDS refused to release adult and emancipated minor clients who were held against their will, in violation of basic civil rights.
- Clients were not provided a humane and safe environment or adequate health care.
***, director of community relations for KIDS, said Monday that the program's executive director, *** received the report Friday. She said, "At this point, it is a delicate situation, We deal with adolescent drug abuse and are bound by federal confidentiality guidelines.
"We have no further comment, other than we are continuing to look into the situation," *** said.
AT A GLANCE
- Young clients of KIDS of El Paso County Inc. continue to be abused, mistreated and physically assaulted, a state official says.
- The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse completed a 222-page report last week that reveals the deficiencies.
- In January the commission cited 56 violations, and warned KIDS it could lose its license unless the problems were corrected.
- KIDS has until May 12 to respond to the latest findings.
