2nd Straight Center Gets Limited License

Associated Press, June 24, 1989

ORLANDO - ORLANDO - The state has given the Straight Inc. drug rehabilitation center in Orlando a license for three months rather than a year, citing concerns that include methods used to restrain patients. It was the second 90-day license for a Straight facility. The criticism of this center is similar to that given the group's Pinellas Park facility, which last week also received a three-month license renewal.

The state Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) typically renews the licenses of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs for a year.

HRS issued a report on both centers after routine inspections. The HRS report on the Orlando center, based on an inspection from May 31 to June 2, criticizes Straight's methods of restraining and monitoring patients and what it calls inconsistent record keeping. "The program's policy on the restraint is a potential problem, both from a liability and clients' rights standpoint, with the possibility of serious injury when clients are encouraged and, or allowed to physically restrain other clients," the report states. Linda Hedden, Straight's vice president for resource development, declined comment on the report saying officials have not read it. Straight was founded by Mel Sembler, a Treasure Island developer who has been nominated U.S. ambassador to Australia by President Bush.