Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a five-part series from Marcus Chatfield, a regular contributor to Points. Here he offers a timeline of key events and news articles in the history of Straight, Inc., the controversial adolescent drug treatment program that existed from 1976 to 1993. Thank you Marcus for bringing this series to Points!
November, 1980 – Opening Day, Sarasota facility.
1981
1/4/1981 – Sarasota Herald-Tribune begins series on Straight, featuring Dr. Robert DuPont (White House Drug Policy Advisor for Presidents Nixon and Ford, and former Director of NIDA), and his sense of urgency about preventing marijuana use.
1/4/81 – “Former Drug Abusers Share The Holidays At Straight-South Inc. – Straight: Hurt Into Help” – Sarasota Herald-Tribune
1/5/81 – “Community Concern Gave Straight Its Start” – Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“Doctor Discusses The Dangers Of Pot Use” – Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“‘Facts’ Change Doctor’s Views On Pot Use” – Sarasota Herald-Tribune
1/20/81 – Reagan/Bush Inauguration Day
2/6/81 – Press conference at Sarasota Straight, Dr. Robert DuPont announces Straight’s national expansion: 26 new branches that will cost $18,212,000.00 over 5 years (1982-1986).
2/9/81 – “Straight Inc. Urged To Expand Nationwide” – Sarasota Herald-Tribune
2/10/81 – “Straight Inc. Directors Mull Nationwide Expansion” – Sarasota Journal
7/6/81 – “Growing Straight Inc Remains Controversial” – St. Petersburg Times
7/7/81 – “Tough Love Makes Straight Successful, 2 Graduates Say…Another Youth Tells of Threats and Intimidation” – St. Petersburg Times
7/30/81 – “Drug Rehabilitation Center Will Help Users Go Straight” – Atlanta Constitution
8/2/81 – “Straight, Inc Coming to Cobb to Help Free Teens From Drugs”– Marietta Daily Journal
8/5/81 – Betty Sembler (wife of Straight’s founding president, Mel Sembler) letter to Carlton Turner (White House Drug Policy Advisor), confirming his future participation in the “Awareness Program” and inviting him for dinner with Dr. DuPont in Washington, D.C. (p. 1).