2nd agency inspects teen rehab center

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A second state agency is investigating Pathway Family Center. The Division of Mental Health and Addiction is looking into a complaint filed by the father of a teen treated inside the center.

Our story about Pathway last week sparked more than 1,100 comments on our Web site. Now, we take a closer look at Pathway and addiction treatment in Indianapolis.

Each morning, cars pull up to Pathway Family Center in Castleton and kids get out to start their day of rehabilitation. One such child is 17-year-old Jamal, from Chesterton. He's been at Pathway for nine months.

"I started using drugs, didn't like myself. Didn't know myself. I was a follower," said Jamal.

Jamal is one of 37 kids at the Indianapolis addiction treatment center.

"I feel like this program has made me a lot more in touch with myself," said Jamal.

Pathway arranged for 24-Hour News 8 to talk to Jamal's mom and two other parents who swear by the center's ability to save their children from destructive addictions.

"Since he's come to Pathway, it's amazing, he's a young man," said Carlet, Jamal's mom.

Terri Nissley, Pathway's CEO, says they have a great track record.

"We're an open book and have nothing to hide," said Nissley.

But not everyone agrees.

Mark West is a non-custodial parent of a 17-year-old inside Pathway. In a formal complaint filed with the attorney general's office and the state's division of mental health and addiction, West says Pathway's methods gravely concern him.

"I am a parent of a kid who has problems, who acted badly. His behavior was not what should have been. Does he need to isolated? No," said West.

Sharon Pierce is the former director of child welfare in the state of Indiana. She says most addiction treatment groups have a 50-to-60 percent success rate, leaving some people unhappy. Still, she believes all deserve close watch.

"Sometimes the conscience of the community will have a tolerance for certain services and not others," said Pierce.

The complaint being investigated by two state agencies alleges "substandard housing and care" including kids sleeping in locked rooms with widows bolted shut and no lights. Also, at least one 17-year-old allegedly missed a complete year of school.

But Pathway disagrees with his allegations and sticks by the program. So do some parents and kids.

But that isn't stopping Mark West, whose son has been in Pathway for a year. He is a father who now communicates with his son via a sign on a dumpster nearby, which reads "Never Give Up".