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==SEED and Straight Inc==
In the late 70's a drastic step was taken by the government to curtail [[drug abuse]] through synanon-based drug rehabilitation centers. Grant money was given in order to establish a number of rehabilitation camps, most of which used the moniker of "Project SEED" or "The SEED". The basis of these programs was a military bootcamp atmosphere, often using food and sleep deprivation, as well as constant yelling and insults, to encourage abstinence from drugs. In a number of instances, the deprivation bordered on near fatal, and the verbal abuse translated into physical abuse, or even rape.
After a series of investigations, and numerous complains, the SEED program's funding was cut and the rehabilitation centers set to close when their funds ran out. A number of individuals, including Mel Sembler, organized to bring the SEED program into the private arena, named Straight Inc.
For 17 years Mel Sembler's Straight program was the biggest chain of juvenile drug rehabilitation programs in America. But former clients have come forward to say they were severely abused by Straight's "[[brainwashing]] methods." There have been over 40 suicides associated with Straight and its imitators. The anti-Straight crowd continues to protest Mel Sembler. His business interests are protested by the Uhurus for allegations of racial descrimination and by anti-[[Iraq war]] activists. [http://www.thestraights.com].
SW: →SEED and Straight Inc: - delete section
Sembler had previously served as Ambassador to Australia and Nauru by [[George H.W. Bush]] in 1989. [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/7043.htm] "Sembler served as Finance Chairman for the [[Republican National Committee]] from 1997 to 2000. He also served as Florida's National Committeeman to the Republican National Committee after his election in 1994 until 2000."<ref>[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/7043.htm Biography: Melvin Sembler, Ambassador, Italy Term of Appointment: 11/16/2001 to present,] [[U.S. Department of State]], January 8, 2002.</ref>
==Possible removal==
