Officials with KIDS of El Paso County Inc. said today they plan to file a rebuttal next week against charges of physical abuse of their clients. The rebuttal will be given to ***, executive director of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, in an effort to keep the drug treatment center open. The agency investigated KIDS earlier this year after receiving complaints that KIDS employees physically and emotionally abused the clients. The agency said KIDS would lose its license by May 12 unless 56 violations were corrected. ***, a lawyer representing KIDS, said the response she will file with the state agency will refute the allegations of abuse. *** denied that clients are abused in any way. However, she and KIDS Director *** noted that clients are physically restrained when they are a threat to themselves or to others, such as when a fight breaks out. The report also will outline changes KIDS will make in its policy. *** said the agency told her it will not take action on KIDS' license until *** has reviewed KIDS' rebuttal. *** said KIDS has worked with about 200 teenagers and adults since the center opened in February 1986. Since then, 25 people have graduated from the program, six have signed themselves out of the program, and 34 have been withdrawn by their parents.
