The history of the KIDS program predates the timeline below. 

For insight into the origin of KIDS, research STRAIGHT, The SEED and Synanon.

1983

• 20/20 aired a national television broadcast on STRAIGHT, Inc.

1984

• KIDS of El Paso County Inc. founder, Newton, left employment at KIDS progenitor program, STRAIGHT, Inc., as investigations escalated. He developed a relationship with a program parent who later became chief executive officer of one of the largest employment websites in the world. The parent contributed $2 million in seed money to open a facility close to New York City.  

• Newton opened KIDS of Bergen County at 80 Commerce Way in Hackensack, New Jersey 07601.

• 60 Minutes aired a national television broadcast on STRAIGHT, Inc.

1985

• El Paso teens started to be admitted to the KIDS of Bergen County program to form the pilot group which would later be relocated to Texas to form KIDS of El Paso County, Inc.

• Princess Di and Nancy Reagan visited a STRAIGHT, Inc. facility in Springfield, Virginia.

• KIDS of El Paso County Inc. broke ground in building K at 6500 Boeing Drive in El Paso, Texas 79925.

• "Not MY Kid" was released based on the book co-authored by KIDS founder with the same title.  The KIDS founder also later produced a video lecture titled "It IS My Kid." (Link Currently Disabled) 

February 1986

• KIDS of El Paso County Inc. opened with 19 teens who were flown to El Paso on a chartered plane from KIDS of Bergen County.

March 1986

• KIDS of El Paso County Inc. was licensed (#285) as a treatment facility by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

August 1986

• "KIDS of El Paso unaffected by New Jersey investigation" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

January 1987

• 106 teens were reportedly enrolled in KIDS of El Paso at this time.

March 1987 

• "Man says center imprisoned him" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Relicensure was delayed pending the results of the investigation" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

April 1987

• A report was filed by a teen's great-grandmother alleging clients were screamed at, called names, pushed, shoved and taken into the Quiet Room where they were beaten and bounced off walls by higher phase clients. She also alleged that her great-grandson was not drug dependent, was forced to sign papers admitting to crimes and drug use that was not true, was forced to sleep in locked rooms on the floor in his underwear without blankets in host homes, was never out in sunlight, could only use the bathroom and have a drink of water four times a day, and could not go to the bathroom or shower alone. She also stated she had personally seen marks on a teens throat. This complaint was not referred to KIDS of El Paso for a response due to the fact the complaint did not reflect a subjective report.

• An El Paso attorney and Texas Department of Human Services filed two complaints against KIDS of El Paso with Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

May 1987

• The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse received a complaint referred from the Texas Department of Human Services based on a report by the El Paso Police Department. The police report alleged physical abuse of a fifteen-year-old that reported higher level clients had told clients to hurt others at KIDS of El Paso. He gave the officer the following example: “At times several of the kids in the program grab him, stretch him by the arms and legs, raise him about 3 or 4 feet and then drop him to the ground.” He then stated, “that the torture that is done in the program is done so as to not leave any visible bruises or marks on subjects so they have no proof of the incidents.” He stated to the police officer that his reason for running away from the program was due to the fact he could no longer tolerate the torture he received in the program. Because of the severity of the allegations by a minor client, Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse had the Department of Human Services send a child protective caseworker on May 13, 1987 to interview the client. The worker determined that the client was not in immediate physical danger and did not need to be removed. In addition this complaint was forwarded to KIDS of El Paso by Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for a response which was due May 21, 1987.

• Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse initiated a formal investigation on KIDS of El Paso to include the first visits to the program by state investigators which coincided with an inspection for relicensure. 

• Relicensure was delayed pending the results of the investigation of complaints, due to the nature, severity, and compliance by the program with license standards.  

• "Turning KIDS off Drugs" was published in a New Jersey newspaper.  

June 1987

• "Adults help kids battle drug abuse" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Inquiry of drug center is on again" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

July 1987

• "KIDS Inc. elects new board officers" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

September 1987

• Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse sent a follow-up letter to KIDS requesting a response. 

• KIDS of El Paso responded in writing to the May 11, 1987 complaint concerning the minor client. The response denied the allegation and stated the program would not condone any form of corporal punishment and included an “amends” from the client dated August 13, 1987 stating he made misstatements about the program to the police, Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Texas Department of Human Services investigators. 

• "SPECIAL REPORT: KIDS of El Paso Inc." was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Clinics vary, but basic approach is the same" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Parents glad son entered program" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "About KIDS of El Paso" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Mother says she witnessed abuses at KIDS" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

October 1987

• Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse investigators made their second visit to KIDS of El Paso.

November 1987

• Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Executive Director notified KIDS of El Paso of action on variance requests to licensure standards which had been made by KIDS of El Paso.  

December 1987

• A response was received from KIDS of El Paso on the variance issues. 

January 1988

• Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Executive Director promised to revoke the intensive outpatient license on April 12, 1988 for noncompliance with standards unless 56 cited licensure violations were cured and the program came into compliance with all standards within the next 60 days.  (Link Currently Disabled)  Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse assured one or more unannounced visits and closed the documents with the words “Compliance is the responsibility of the program.” 

• "Mayoral candidate motivated by duty" was published in a Florida newspaper. 

February 1988

• "Woman who led cops on chase released from jail over weekend" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Assault charges filed; chase led to Cruces" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Rehab program cited for 56 violations" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Abuse complaint fades County finds 1 charge against KIDS too weak" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Private investigator sues KIDS" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "It was a nightmare" was published in an El Paso newspaper.  

• "Thanks KIDS, we couldn't have done it without you" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS saved her life" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Father recalls how drugs turned his son into professional liar" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

March 1988

• A site inspection visit was made under the authorization of the Executive Director of the Commission and under the direction of the Director of Program Compliance Division, with the assistance of three employees of Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. During the visit clients, staff and a board member were interviewed and clinical records were viewed in some cases. During March and April 1988, former clients who had been in the program since January 21, 1988 were also interviewed.

• KIDS of El Paso submitted their clinical manual to Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for review. After investigating, Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse found that the clinical manual was merely a copy of the manual for KIDS of Bergen County.

• 21 teens and staff left the El Paso program on a chartered plane to start KIDS of Southern California located at 3760 Prospect Avenue in Yorba Linda, California 92886.

• "KIDS of El Paso could lose license" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS of El Paso will be forced to shut its doors, lawyer says" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS says charges stem from disgruntled patients" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS is refused the right to appeal" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Investigators visiting KIDS" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

April 1988

• Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse issued a license inspection report. (Link Currently Disabled)

• The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Executive Director agreed to defer his decision on the revocation of KIDS of the license of KIDS of El Paso until after May 12, 1988 in order to consider any written responses to the staff inspection report received by 5:00pm that day.

• "KIDS files rebuttal to investigation" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Authorities say lawyer harbored runaway from KIDS" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Drug abuse program better reporting" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS blight on El Paso" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Investigator charges KIDS Inc. with foul play" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Families turn to KIDS to get teens off drugs" was published in a Utah newspaper. 

May 1988

• Investigators reported that the program failed to correct the 56 deficiencies and that the program could be closed in the following week. The program had 100 teens enrolled at this time and 25 graduates according to a 222-page report filed by the Commission.

• KIDS of Southern California was notified by the State of California Health and Welfare Agency that they were in violation of California law by operating without a license.

• "KIDS could lose license" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Report: KIDS still misbehaving" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS to rebut charges alleging it abused clients" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS to rebut charges" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS denies allegations, says investigation biased" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS says state unfair, partial" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

June 1988

• A letter was composed to television talk show host Geraldo Rivera (1 2 3) about the abuse at KIDS of El Paso. Several ex-KIDS of El Paso teens were guests on the episode which was recorded but reportedly never aired due to pending program litigation. 

• Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Executive Director ordered license #285 for KIDS of El Paso County, Inc. revoked (Link Currently Disabled) unless the time is shortened by the issuance of an injunction, the order was reported to become effective 30 days from the June 2, 1988 signature date subject to appeal. 

• The Texas Attorney General filed a restraining order to close KIDS and scheduled a hearing to determine if the closure would become a permanent order. A district judge ordered KIDS of El Paso to close its doors. KIDS initially defied the order to close. The program remained open saying that the state was being "uncooperative and unjust." A spokesperson for the Texas Attorney General's office said, "If they violate the court order, they could end up in jail." The attorney for the program was later quoted as saying, "Unless I get a hearing, I may have to advise my client to close." KIDS of El Paso staff announced to the group they would be closing. 90 were ordered sent home after a temporary injunction to close the program was filed. During this time there were slight modifications in the manner in which KIDS conducted business. Teens continued to go home with other teens and the rules and terminology changed slightly. Three teens fled the program during the time the program was officially closed. One teen was discovered by El Paso Police Department while restrained in the street by others from KIDS of El Paso. The teen was later taken to Thomason General Hospital's Psychiatric Unit. KIDS of El Paso teens and staff met in an alternate facility owned by a KIDS parent. The group played games, sang songs and had loosely structured raps until they returned to the building later that afternoon. KIDS of El Paso resumed raps and business as usual at the KIDS building the day after closing. Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse stated the program could remain open while in the 30-day appeal process. This is the first time in the history of the state agency to take such an action against a facility. A State Senator was hired as legal counsel to represent 60 teens and their families who desired to stay in the program. The Texas State Assistant Attorney General used the words "terrorizes and brainwashes" when referring to how KIDS treated clients. A prominent psychiatrist stated that KIDS techniques "can destroy a person's ego making it difficult to rebuild, running the risk of treatment changing to a cult." Testimony against the program included a statement by a former teen that described an incident where she was "forced to push other teens face in a bag containing feces and menstrual blood because the teen had defecated on the carpet. We all shoved her face in it and even had her take her pants off and were told to put a diaper on her."

• "KIDS backers stand by program" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Teen wants KIDS bequest out of her will" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "War on drugs means saving childrens lives" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Judge hears KIDS case Thursday" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Ex-KIDS patients testify about programs harsh punishment" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "State lawyer says KIDS harms clients" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Agency says KIDS should lose its license" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "State Revokes KIDS license" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Parents say KIDS needs changes" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Teen trying to escape KIDS hospitalized" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS graduates defend program" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS offers an alternative" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Court closes KIDS of El Paso" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS defies order to close" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS shuts doors; 90 sent home" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Court hearing for KIDS Inc. rescheduled for Thursday" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Hearing to decide KIDS' fate is put off till Friday in Austin" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "State lawyer says KIDS harms clients" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS back in business for now" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Ruling reopens KIDS, but 3 teens have fled" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS should use its second chance" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Other KIDS centers get scrutiny" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Physician assails KIDS techniques" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS called harsher than prisons" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS trial resumes today in Austin" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Action to close KIDS is first ever for state agency" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS can stay open but problems aren't over" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Nightmare over for KIDS parents" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS to stay open center still faces hearing on license" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS founder: Problems in El Paso have been corrected" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

July 1988

• The Executive Director of Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse warned the program that the battle was not over and that they would still continue the effort to revoke KIDS license.

• Editorials by attorneys against KIDS published in El Paso newspapers use the word "evil" to describe the program and stated that "the methods used to divert a child's dependency from drugs to the program precluding the child's viability as an independent thinking and psychologically healthy adult."

• Other published editorials in favor of the program read "At least KIDS does things that the parents didn't have the guts enough to do or didn't care enough to do. Anyone who thinks you can reverse a drug problem by being a weak-kneed pantywaist is a jackass."

• "KIDS program helped her family" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS turned anguish into a smile" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Decrying KIDS bashing" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Heiress, dad in court over $1.7 million" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS method earns some community aid" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Does KIDS program help it's clients or abuse them?" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Drug abuse program is much too brutal" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "State agency wants KIDS closed" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Pros and cons bitterly debate merits of KIDS" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Advertisement" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS of El Paso: Let's make sure the kids families are our first priority" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

October 1988

• Stories about KIDS of El Paso were often in the news during this time including stories of escapes.

• "Ex-detective charged in keeping boy" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

1989

• West 57th Street aired a national television broadcast on KIDS.

• The Canadian government pulled support for the New Jersey program and halted development of KIDS of the Canadian West.

• Bergen County prosecutors found evidence of black eyes, strip searches, sleep deprivation, solitary confinement and imprisonment of adults at KIDS.

• Children were escorted out of KIDS of Bergen County by prosecutors on two different occasions.

• A KIDS teen's hospital records show he was bleeding from the scalp and having blurred vision after being dropped on his head during a group therapy session. When he became an adult, he left KIDS of Bergen County, but later a staff member was arrested for trying to kidnap him back into the program. According to a different former staff member charges were dropped after KIDS of Bergen County promised KIDS teen they would not pursue him if he promised not to press charges.

• An Administrative Law Judge released a 53-page study on KIDS treatment practices and concluded KIDS of El Paso founder lacked the statutorily required good moral character to get the program certified, urging further investigation.

January 1989

• An administrative hearing was held that determined the program could stay open with a suspended license and on probation for two years.

• KIDS of Great Salt Lake opened at 462 Bearcat Drive in Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 as the fourth and final KIDS location. 

• Sally aired a national television broadcast on KIDS.

March 1989

• "Drug treatment center wins reprieve" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

May 1989

• A social worker visited KIDS in New Jersey regarding employment at KIDS in Salt Lake City and was appalled at what she witnessed.  She filed this report (Link Currently Disabled) with the ACLU.

October 1989

• KIDS of El Paso announced the program would close due to financial trouble. Twenty to twenty-five teens were sent to the Salt Lake City KIDS program on a bus and the rest went to the New Jersey KIDS program.

• A former El Paso Police Department detective charged with harboring a KIDS runaway moved to represent 25 former KIDS of El Paso teens in a federal class-action lawsuit which alleged civil rights violations.

• "KIDS closes doors over money trouble" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "KIDS Inc. set to file chapter 7" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Creditors set to examine assets of KIDS program" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "KIDS leaves El Paso but controversy remains" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• "Teen tells of humiliating treatment" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Claims against KIDS may top $225,000" was published in an El Paso newspaper. 

• "Tax rollback leader was head of KIDS" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

November 1989

• "Sinister Operation Gone From El Paso" was published in an El Paso newspaper.

• After being kidnapped and held against her will, a legal age adult jumped from a window breaking bones in her feet and arms, dislocating her shoulder and damaging cartilage and ligaments in both knees in an effort to get away from the KIDS program in Utah. She was denied medical attention by staff for an hour. She was finally released after obtaining a Writ of Habeas Corpus.

1990

• Bergen County prosecutors built a case against KIDS founder. 

• Twenty Bergen County officials descended on KIDS of Bergen County to investigate abuse.

• KIDS of Bergen County relocated to 200 Seaview Avenue in Secaucus, New Jersey 07094 and reopened as KIDS of North Jersey.

• KIDS of El Paso founder settled with an ex-KIDS teen for $721,000. 

• A former understudy of the founder of the KIDS programs opened KIDS spin-off program in Calgary. The Alberta Adolescent Recovery Center (AARC) continues to operate today. Someone wrote this about their time in AARC.

• "Alleged gang head posts $5000 bond" was published in an El Paso newspaper.   

• KIDS of Salt Lake City in Utah closed its doors and re-opened the same day under the name Life-Line which continues to operate today. 

• STRAIGHT Southern California, formerly KIDS of Southern California, closed its doors amidst allegations of child abuse and its teens were relocated to STRAIGHT Dallas.   “Documentation on file indicates there have been incidents where children have been subjected to unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of punitive nature including…interference with daily living functions such as eating, sleeping or toileting or withholding medication. [letter dated June 27, 1990 from District Manager for Department of Social Services]."

• KIDS of Southern California later reopened as STRAIGHT Southern California.

• A notice of proposed sale is issued by a clerk of the United States Bankruptcy Court regarding the proposed sale of KIDS of El Paso "panels, chairs, chair frames, carpet, clothes and other theater items."

1991

• "I'm Not a Bad Girl I Just Do Bad Things" was published in a Texas magazine. 

• STRAIGHT Dallas (with teens from closed KIDS programs) closed its doors. 

1993

• A Secaucus Municipal Judge convicted three KIDS counselors (all 23 years of age) of viciously beating a 17-year-old for half an hour. One of the defendants said beatings were routine at the facility and "Workers at drug program sentenced" was published in a New Jersey newspaper. 

1996

• A local television news channel aired a story (Link Currently Disabled) about KIDS in New Jersey.

• A different news channel also aired a story (Link Currently Disabled) about KIDS in New Jersey.

• A KIDS teen (age 23) charged KIDS of El Paso founder with holding her against her will.

• Additional assault charges against KIDS counselors are filed.

• KIDS of El Paso founder lost a case for fraudulent insurance charges. Details included that the program billed the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program for treatment by physicians when the physicians reported they had not rendered services. KIDS of El Paso founder agreed to settle for $45,000 to resolve 245 claims.

1998

• KIDS of North Jersey closed its doors.

1999

•  New Jersey alleged over $1, 000, 000 in overbilling.

• KIDS of El Paso founder moved to Madeira Beach and converted to Orthodoxy.  He applied to Pinellas County’s Juvenile Assessment to have children court ordered to him for treatment. The state responded by ordering him to stop operating.

• KIDS of El Paso founder settled for $4.5 million in an ex-KIDS teen case and "Suit Settled" was published in a New Jersey newspaper.   

2000

• KIDS of El Paso founder employment was reportedly terminated with St. Petersburg Junior College when they learned of his background.

• "Closure for a Quack Victim" was published in a New Jersey law journal. 

• "Lingering torment from rough therapy" was published in a New Jersey newspaper. 

2001

• KIDS of El Paso founder filed for bankruptcy for a $1.55 million debt, including $1.2 million owed to New Jersey Medicare. 

• KIDSofElPaso.com and an associated web forum go online.

2003

• KIDS of El Paso founder settled for $6.5 million in an ex-KIDS teen case who was in KIDS from 13 to 26 years of age and "Drug Rehab ‘Cult Leader’ Settles Medical Malpractice Case for $6.5M" was published in a New Jersey law journal. 

• "Resurrection and Redemption: Overcoming Mental Illness and Regaining Dignity" book was published about someone who was in KIDS in New Jersey.

2005

• KIDS of El Paso founder was sued for bankruptcy fraud.

• Montel airs a national broadcast featuring a teen from STRAIGHT, Inc.

2007

• KIDS of El Paso founder was labeled as an abusive priest by the Protection of the Theotokos and pokrov.org Orthodox Abuse Watchdog Groups.

• “Over the GW” is released based on KIDS program and "Rehab ‘abuse’ film based on former KIDS" was published in a New Jersey newspaper.

• "Ex-patient: I was prisoner at treatment center" was published in a New Jersey newspaper. 

• "$3M Settlement in KIDS Case" was published in a New Jersey newspaper.

• "Trouble Across the Country" was published in a New Jersey newspaper.

• "KIDS: Few made it all the way to graduation" was published in a New Jersey newspaper. 

2009

• KIDS of El Paso founder settled for $3.75 million in an ex-KIDS teen case. 

2013

• Ex-KIDS of El Paso teen testified his time in the KIDS of El Paso program prompted a homicide in 2007 and "I am better than God: El Paso man takes stand in own defense at murder trial" was published in a New Mexico newspaper.

• Dr. Phil aired a national broadcast featuring a KIDS teen.  

2017

• The Doctors aired a national television broadcast which addressed abusive treatment facilities and tied practices back to KIDS progenitor, Synanon.