DRUG-ABUSE TREATMENT CENTER LOSES STATE LICENSE

State officials suspended the license of a drug treatment program
Wednesday after an investigation found alleged substance abuse and
inappropriate intimate relationships among staff and clients, food
stamp fraud and financial improprieties.

The Colorado Attorney General's Office and Department of Human
Services conducted a monthlong investigation of Cenikor Foundation
Inc. after receiving information about alleged improprieties at its
residential treatment facilities in Lakewood.

"We're turning our findings over to the Jefferson County district
attorney, and we're anticipating having the possibility of a criminal
investigation," Liz McDonough, human services spokeswoman, said.
McDonough declined to cite specific allegations.

Cenikor has two Lakewood facilities. One oversees treatment for men
and operates the business office; the other takes care of women, who
are permitted to be with their children as they undergo chemical
dependency treatment.

In a statement, Laurie Clark, vice president of the Cenikor
Foundation, said the center has not had a chance to respond to the
allegations.

"We're concerned and saddened about (them)," Clark
said.

Clark vowed that Cenikor will work with all agencies involved to make
sure it is complying with all state regulations.

Although its state license was suspended, Cenikor is not required to
shut down because it can operate a treatment facility without a
license, McDonough said.

But clients who are under the purview of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Division, which is part of the Human Services Department, will
immediately be removed from the Cenikor facilities. The division works
with a managed services group, which contracts with substance-abuse
programs to treat clients.

Other institutions that have referred clients to Cenikor can choose
whether to keep their patients at the facilities.

McDonough said the Human Services Department has alerted the state
Department of Corrections and the Department of Probation of the
investigation.

According to Human Services, the investigation uncovered:

. Evidence that staff exploited clients concerning the food stamp
program.

. Evidence of substance abuse, including alcohol, by both the staff
and clients.

. Evidence of inappropriate and intimate relationships between staff
and clients.

. Evidence that donated items such as air conditioners and washing
machines were taken by staff from the facilities for their personal
use.

. Evidence that the staff did not report critical incidents to the
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division as required.

. Evidence that staff exercised "undue influence, exploiting clients
for financial gain."