Parents Back Program

Sun-Sentinel, March 30, 1990

About 50 or 60 parents of children treated at the controversial Growing Together drug treatment program in Lake Worth have signed and submitted a letter of support to the state, an official said on Thursday.

The parents are standing by the non-profit program, which was given until May 8 to correct practices that do not comply with state law or risk losing its license, said Rik Pavlescak of the state Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services.

Perhaps the most controversial practice is teen-agers restraining unruly peers by pinning them to the floor.

Center officials this week gave the state a confidential, draft report detailing changes they would adopt, Pavlescak said. State workers will review the suggestions and respond in coming weeks.