Setting the Record Straight About the Minnesota Teen Challenge

We are very concerned after reading the recent Huffington Post article by Maia Szalavitz, "Obama Drug Czar Pick Tied to Abusive Christian Rehab Linked to Contributor Charged with $3.5 Billion Fraud." (December 10th, 2008)

The article presents a very inaccurate and inflammatory portrayal of Minnesota Teen Challenge which we would like to address.

Minnesota Teen Challenge is a leading and respected treatment center in Minnesota, part of a large network of Teen Challenge centers across the United States. Each program is independently controlled and autonomous in operation and methodology. As such, it is entirely improper to attribute alleged incidents and practices at one center as being common to all.

Minnesota Teen Challenge's beliefs and practices bear no resemblance to the portrayal in the article.

1. It is important to note that the federal earmark sponsored by Congressman Ramstad -- approved with bipartisan support in Congress, including Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) and Congressman Keith Ellison (D) -- was designated for Minnesota Teen Challenge's Know the Truth drug and alcohol abuse prevention program. This program is completely separate from our recovery program and is entirely non-religious in nature. This widely respected program has been presented to more than 30,000 junior and senior high school students across the state of Minnesota.

2. Minnesota Teen Challenge does not recruit members into the Assemblies of God denomination as a means to cure addiction. We are an independent 501c3 charitable organization that is non-denominational in nature and we do not recruit participants to join any particular church or denomination.

3. Minnesota Teen Challenge employs qualified licensed chemical dependency counselors and operates a program licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. We follow the same rules and procedures for client care as all other treatment programs in the state.

4. Minnesota Teen Challenge does not use forced labor backed by the threat of food deprivation and does not use humiliation or other abusive tactics. All clients are treated with dignity and respect and they voluntarily participate in the program. Our program is regularly reviewed by city, county, and state officials to ensure quality care is being provided. An independent research study indicated that 83% of those surveyed rated the quality of our program as "very good" or "outstanding."

5. Minnesota Teen Challenge does allow its clients to use medications and we do recognize that many addicts have a co-occurring mental illness. In fact, we employ nurses to help monitor client's medications and work side by side with community mental health providers.

6. A 2007 independent scientific research study conducted by the Wilder Foundation and nationally recognized researcher, Dr. Patricia Owen revealed that 74% of 2005 graduates had been abstinent in the previous six months. Additionally, 87% of graduates stated that their circumstances today would be a lot worse if they hadn't gone through the Teen Challenge program.

7. Minnesota Teen Challenge does not engage in illegal discrimination of applicants with differing beliefs and our application process makes it clear that those with different or no religious belief are eligible for employment.

8. Our staffing levels reflect the fact that we operate eight separate residential programs in seven locations that provide round the clock care with food services, etc., as well as a respected drug prevention program with a dedicated staff.

We are very troubled that such an inflammatory article, beginning with the inaccurate headline, can be disseminated without the subject of the story having an opportunity to respond to any questions or concerns.

While we recognize that not everybody will agree with our religious viewpoint, we hope that we can all agree that assisting people overcome their addictions to drugs and alcohol is a worthy goal. We do appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight.

Rich Scherber is a pastor and Executive Director of Minnesota Teen Challenge. He overcame drug use many years ago as a young man after a profound spiritual awakening that changed his life. He holds a master's degree in Education.

Comments

[hrstasson]

Hi my name is Heather Stasson an I graduater MN Teen Challenge in 2005 and went through the two year ministry school. God used this program to completley change my life! I am afraid to think of where I would be with out MN Teen Challenge, surley I would be in prision or burning in hell. I am so thankful for this program, that will put its self on the line for the truth and the lives of others. This program is a true God send!
It does not supprise me that people would make negitive comments becuase the truth will always ruffel fethers and cause rebelious attitudes to show. I am truely thankful for Teen Challenge and the hard working and loving staff.
Because of what I received at MN Teen Challenge I now live a full life, I have never been so happy and alive. I have never once turned back to my old life before MN Teen Challenge. I am redeemed and restored to life and the world. Now getting out of bed every day is a blessing not a curse, before MN Teen Challenge I just wish I were dead.
I am very thankful for this precious program.

Sincerly
Heather Stasson

[TerrenceGibbons]

I am a 2006 graduate of Minnesota Teen Challenge. I went on to the minestry school for one year and graduated the school. Teen Challenge then hired me on as a staff in september 2007. I have been working there ever since. I just recently got married to another Teen Challenge graduate. My wife also works at Teen Challenge. We work at one of the best ministries in the world.

The staff there are spirit led, we care about our students. Pastor Rich is a man of integrity. Pastor Rich has stood on the front line for this ministry since day one. If you have any doubts Teen Challenge has nothing to hide. They would even invite you there for a day to see for your self. We are an open book at Teen Challenge.

[AaronSchmidt77]

All I know is, I am supposed to be in prison for the next 8 years, but instead I am starting college at the Minnesota School Of Business on January 5th. Soon I will be a tax - paying citizen. I have never had a job before in my life. But thanks to Teen Challenge I have a very bright future!

[AaronSchmidt77]

I am a recent graduate of Teen Challenge. I have been arrested for everything from 1st degree Assault, to Manufacturing Methamphetamine. I have a huge criminal history and many people had given up on me, and the courts allmost through the book at me! I am supposed to be in prison right now for 2nd degree possession of Meth.
But Teen Challenge taught me a new way to live! Teen Challenge is the only Institution I have been too that no body there has anything bad to say about it. This is the first negative thing I have ever heard about Teen Challenge. I can honestly say that going to Teen Challenge was the best year of my life! I went from Bear Macing people and hitting them with baseball bats, to singing in the best 400+ person choir in the nation, in every denomination in churches accross Minnesota and Wisconsin. My favorite day of the week is now Sunday!
On the outside looking in, I know it's hard to see how Teen Challenge is so effective. The author of this artice has obviously done research on Teen Challenge. Has the author ever went to hear the choir at a church? Have they attended a graduation? Have they seen the transformed lives God produces?

[Godkid]

I graduated from MNTC 60-day program in 2005. This is an awesome program. They do not brainwash people. Also, they do not force people to join the Assembly of God church. I am not a member of the Assemblies. I go to a different church. While in MNTC we visited many different denominations. Also, we were free to leave and not come back if we didn't like the program. This treatment center helps alot of repeat abusers where other treatments fail. I was sober for 19 years in a 12-step program and then became addicted to pain pills after numerous surgeries. I am familiar with alot of alcoholics/addicts that have gone thru the revolving door of treatment centers! Many of these need a long term program. This is not an easy program. You deal with more of your issues than can be done in 30 days.

Get educated before you make comments. Usually the people who throw stones have alot of issues they are hiding from themselves.

[MatthewButtler]

I am a 2007 graduate of Minnesota Teen Challenge, and I can say without a doubt, it is the best program out there! Not only did I graduate the program but I also was blessed with chance to work as an intern with the Know The Truth prevention program! It is very easy to sit on the sidelines and criticize what this program is doing but until you have witnessed first hand the influence this program has on everyone involved , it is realy not your place to say anything! I have had the honor of sharing my story with teenagers in many schools and it is heart breaking to witness what is happening to our children in todays world! I never get over having children who are so young approch me and tell me that their lives are so bad they would rather smoke meth or cut themselves than face reality! And most are 12-17 years old! I can tell you from my own experience that no one is safe from the influence of drugs and depression and loss of hope. I can also tell you that if not for Teen Challenge, I would be dead! I just wanted to share my heart with you as one who has been there and not just one who maybe drove by the building or heard something from someone who talked to so and so and jumped on board with someone elses opinion! God bless Minnesota Teen Challenge!

[SaraTheissen]

Teen Challenge is not quick fix- it took me 18 months to graduate the program but fortunatly for me, the program of obidience God has started in my life isn't over. This sanctification is an everyday process and because of what Teen Challenge has taught me I have hope, I am a College student and the people stuck in bondage who don't know a way out because of my Testimony might someday find that way out! No one should have to live a life of bondage and addiction, everyone has a choice and I made the best choice of my life, coming to Teen Challenge and giving GOD full control.

[SaraTheissen]

Pastor Rich & his wife, the staff at Teen Challenge have heart and heart that is positioned behind the word of God, if half of this world had that, ohh how quickly would the problems with the economy and children in poverty and disease go away.
Teen Challenge works on advancing Gods Kingdom and bringing people out of bondage. I have had the privledge of being in Teen Challenge for 18months. It was the hardest thing to do, giving up material things and what I wanted to do, to get a new life and find out the truth! When I had struggles in my life, the loving staff at Teen Challenge were right beside me to show me how to accept responsibility and be the adult and indiviual God has created me to be. I have been to jail and I can say that Teen Challenge is much more difficult and is far from the easy way out. You never stop looking at what needs to change in you and your life and the character qualities that you need to make those changes.

[SaraTheissen]

Since I commited my life to God and choose the Hard WAY but the ONLY WAY that leads to true freedom, I have had struggles that have made me stronger and I have grown, through the help of Teen Challenge and the people God has annointed to teach his word. Pastor Rich is set apart, from the world. When people are done with their jobs- Pastor Rich goes home and prays for the students and staff at Teen Challenge, that God would change their lives and get ahold of them, when people are out at the bars drinking their "long week or problems away" Pastor Rich -his wife and the staff are inviting their students and their families to change their lives and restore their relationships by coming to a healing service, having fellowship in a good enviornment(even opening their own homes), when people are going to a movie or buying CHRISTmas presents,Pastor Rich and the Staff are donating their time and their money to buying and blessing these students and their children with CHRISTmas presents and quality time together, among many other activities.

[SaraTheissen]

I am a graduate of MNTC-and Proof that not only does this Program work ,but God works and will continue to in my life and in your life daily-whether you like it or not, HE IS GOD! It's so sad to see how people in this world have gotten so fixed on the- 'I can do it myself and by my own strength" or the " maybe these meds can cure me" , we as humans sure...have the strength to get ourselves out of the problems, we get ourselves into...WELL NOT USUALLY! I have been an addicted to anything that has kept me away from knowing the truth...God and the word and how he truly created us to live. Whether we like it or not, Life has rules and our lives were created to serve the one who created us and gave us this privledge to live! God took my from the pit I got myself stuck in by the lies and choices, I made and once choose to believe, ignorantly. Chemiclas put me in this dumb-founded state but for some it doesn't even take chemicals to get there, and away from God, it just takes a silly person trying to convince them that they can do it on there own and there is no God.

[lundgren]

Naive,naiv­e,naive,pl­ain and simple.I am utterly amazed at you people for your negativity towards MNTC,I am a 2006 grad.you have no idea how hard the staff works too better peoples lives,I've seen so MANY people turn their lives around because of this program,and if you have seen what I have seen,your jaw would drop with amazement,and if you even dreamt about bad talking MNTC you'd wake up and apoligize.­......peri­od........­..........­..........­....

[dmayse]

MNTC was my home for over 15 months. A real home. Why don't you go for a tour and spend time at lunch with some of the students? You might find you are so far in error that you have reason to feel ashamed of bashing the program for addicts and alcoholics that actually works. Have you taken the time to study the number of successes that have came from people who were spiritually dead when they walked in the door of TC? The people who bash Teen Challenge are the ones who cannot face what they were. That's the challenge. Face what you are and change. That takes a miracle. There is only one who can give miracles. That is God. Teen Challenge is about a relationship with God. It's not about religion. Get busy doing your homework before you judge too harshly. That homework might include blowing the dust of the old family bible if you know where to find it......

[petertaves1]

I work for a construction firm in Minneapolis. We did close $1 billion in construction in 2008. We're the 5th largest construction firm and 11th largest family-owned business in the state. We've placed many Mn Teen Challenge graduates with full time jobs. Better than 80% of them remain drug free, work full time and are contributing citizens. We recruit applicants from many organizations. Some faith-based and some not. The success we've experienced from the traditional "non-religious 12-Step" approach programs, is less than half that of MNTC and similar faith-based programs. Our annual budget for providing these services to the community is $129k. This year alone, we saved Minnesota taxpayers almost $2 million. Come give our books a look, or I'll take you around town for a few weeks so you can meet all of our applicants. Seeing is believing.

By the way, I am also a graduate of Minnesota Teen Challenge. I am a Christian, proud father and student. I currently attend college at a local University where I have a 3.8 GPA. I've been drug free for over 3 years. The longest period of sobriety I had in the past 18 years before Minnesota Teen Challege was 6 months. 3 of those months were while in treatment. I've been to more than 4 treatment programs. All secular until my last, which was Minnesota Teen Challenge. Thank you God and thanks Minnesota Teen Challenge.

[Jassen]

I gaduated MNTC in Nov. 2008

I am proud to say that I know Pastor Rich and am a part of MNTC ! They are the reason that I am who I am now ! Pastor Rich and MNTC have shown me a new way to live ( yes that is with Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior ) . I was a meth addict for 20 plus years all I've known in my life from childhood on was pain. I now know that I had a sin issue I am not a recovering addict like 12 steps teach you . I have been deliverd from my sin by my Lord and Savior . MNTC saved my life gave me back my family and has shown me a new way to live . You people are so clouded by the media and the petters scandal that you cant see what a life changing place it really is ...

Come on people open your eye's and look at the amazing things Pastor Rich has done for this state and the people in it . I dont pretend to know all the details of this petters stuff , but I do know Pastor Rich is the most humble, honest and loving person I ever meet.. So before you try to talk about something you know nothing of you should talk to him !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pastor Rich and MNTC I love and am completely thankful to you for giving me something to beleave

[Frogiven7]

As a graduate of the program and a MEMBER of a NON-Denominational Church they do not push denominations on anyone. Otherwise I might be a member of an assembly of God church... Hmm... I sought the Lord Long and hard about where to be a member at after graduation. Which was entirely my choice.

[JohnDewey]

"We are an independent 501c3 charitable organization that is non-denominational in nature and we do not recruit participants to join any particular church or denomination. ... While we recognize that not everybody will agree with our religious viewpoint, ... Rich Scherber is a pastor and Executive Director of Minnesota Teen Challenge. He overcame drug use many years ago as a young man after a profound spiritual awakening..."

I call B.S., & not even very convincing B.S. at that. I'll reserve my sympathy & concern for the teenagers in these "treatment centers," not for a front-group for the Assemblies of God.