KIDS denies allegations, says investigation biased

A local drug rehabilitation center that reportedly abuses its clients denies the allegations and calls an investigation of the program biased.  Officials with KIDS of El Paso County Inc. filed a rebuttal on Thursday with the Texas Commission of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Austin.  The program responded to allegations made by investigators that KIDS had failed to correct some of the deficiencies the state agency cited.  A team of Austin investigators reviewed the program in March.  Violations by KIDS staff included: striking clients, using abusive language, depriving patients of sleep as a form of punishment, and not providing a humane and safe environment.  ***, executive director of the commission, told KIDS it had until Thursday to respond. ***, chairman of the commission's board of inquiry, said Friday that *** had read the rebuttal. *** will decide whether to revoke or extend KIDS' license, *** said.  In its response, KIDS said that the staff tries to handle the disruptive behavior of clients by talking to them first.  If unsuccessful, minimum force is used.  Furthermore, KIDS objected to the manner in which the investigation was conducted, saying the investigators " . . . were looking only for negatives about the program and that the questions were slanted.”