The operators of a well known residential drug therapy facility based mostly in Surrey and Langley are talking out in their very own defence, after being partially shut down by the federal government.
The John Volken Academy was ordered to cease working as a therapy centre after an investigation into allegations of mistreatment. Final week, the centre deserted an enchantment of the choice.
Some residents alleged they had been required to work as much as 56 hours per week unpaid, whereas different allegations included bans on talking and ostracization for many who broke the foundations. One resident was reportedly gored by a water buffalo whereas engaged on the ability’s farm.
Talking to media on Tuesday, the operators didn’t deny residents had been anticipated to work, however did dispute claims of over-work or abuse.
Contributors within the Academy’s two-year live-in program had been anticipated to work in a retailer, a furnishings shifting firm and a farm.
Founder John Volken acknowledged the centre did use a bench to isolate residents once they had been “out of line” and wanted a “cooling off” interval to mirror.
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Likewise, he acknowledged the ability did generally ban residents from talking.
“The ministry calls it a punishment, however we name it a studying expertise,” Volken stated.
“They’ve to take a seat by themselves generally for an hour, generally for a day, and it really works as a result of college students want group, they need group, and whether it is no there it offers them the chance on the bench or not talking it offers them the chance to mirror and it adjustments them.”
Volken stated that residents weren’t at all times pleased with the foundations, one thing he stated was a pure response from individuals deep in dependancy. However residents had been at all times free to go away the centre if they didn’t need to full this system, he stated.
“(When) you begin out they’re egocentric, they need to do what they need to do once they need to … and we attempt to change them,” he stated.
Former participant Jannan Haimour credited this system’s strict guidelines with serving to her flip her life round.
“The bench is a bench to chill off and suppose,” she stated. “For me, it was a spot to go and mirror and to chill off and what a fantastic factor as a result of I believe that bench saved my life.”
Volken additionally alleged that the province’s choice to step in and shut this system had price at the least one former resident their life.
“One in all our college students was clearly dismayed by the very fact he needed to depart,” he stated. “Now what’s going to occur to me?’” Volken stated.
“He left as a result of the federal government informed him he needed to depart, and he overdosed and died. The federal government received concerned for one week and there was already one particular person lifeless.”
The province’s Assisted Residing Registry imposed six situations on the therapy centre in June 2022, after receiving complaints.
The situations included the requirement {that a} nurse or medical practitioner be on website at the least 20 hours per week, that the Academy not limit or learn residents’ mail and a prohibition on using the bench and talking bans.
However in 2024, the registry stated inspections had discovered the ability was nonetheless failing to adjust to situations, together with using talking bans, ensuing within the facility having its registration cancelled.
Volken stated the centre’s services in Surrey have been offered for near $78 million, cash that may return into the muse.
The Academy nonetheless operates a piece/life abilities program with no dependancy restoration part.
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