METH ALLEGEDLY MADE AT STORE

State Claims Cenikor Failed To Notify Cops After Finding Out

Methamphetamine allegedly was made in 2001 at a thrift store run by
Cenikor, a Lakewood rehabilitation center that weans people off drugs and
alcohol, according to an investigative report by a state agency.

The Colorado Department of Human Services on Wednesday suspended Cenikor
Foundation Inc.'s license, saying it represents a danger to the public.

The report claims the drug was made at the store at 8797 W. Colfax Ave.
from October 2001 to January 2002. It claims Cenikor learned of the illegal
activity but didn't report it to the police or to the state Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Division. The chemicals remained at the thrift store until
February of this year, when they were dumped in a toilet or placed in a
dumpster, the report charges.

Bill Bailey, president and chief executive officer of Cenikor,
headquartered in Houston, said Thursday he was stunned with the state's
decision to suspend the facility's licenses. Bailey said his office had
received an April 8 notification of complaints from the Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Division, or ADAD, concerning Cenikor's two residential facilities in
Lakewood.

Since the notification, Cenikor has attempted to work with representatives
of ADAD, which is under the state Human Services Department, to resolve any
concerns they had and to further look into the allegations.

Bailey said he met on Tuesday with Bennie Lombard, ADAD's coordinator of
offender services, and thought the two had a positive discussion about
Cenikor's response and desire to work with the state.

"During our meeting he never said a word about any problems and any
concerns . . . (Then) 24 hours ago, they send us a letter of suspension of
license," Bailey said. "I'm taken aback. If things were just this
egregious, why not tell me Tuesday morning?"

Lombard was on vacation Thursday and couldn't be reached for comment.

Bailey said during his trip to Denver this week he visited both Lakewood
facilities and met with staff and clients.

"Our clients made statements like, 'I'm alive today because of the program
you provide. This has changed my life,' " Bailey said.

He said the "broad brush" allegations don't provide Cenikor with any
specifics the organization can thoroughly investigate.

Bailey, who has been with Cenikor less than a year, said the report was the
first he had heard that methamphetamine had been produced at the store. He
said the employees who worked at the store are no longer at the facility.

The state attorney general is expected to turn over its findings to the
Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.

Mary McGhee, Human Services spokeswoman, said she believed the complaints
that started the investigation came from former staff members and clients.

The report also found that Cenikor staff allegedly:

. Told clients to file false applications for food stamps;

. Forced clients to work when they were injured;

. Didn't provide clients with legitimate prescription drugs;

. Forced clients to use automobiles that weren't well maintained;

. Pressured female clients to go on dates with staff;

. Paid staff members for arranging dates with other staff members;

. Required clients to move such donated items as air conditioners to the
rooms of staffers.

Bailey said Cenikor recently terminated a staff member who refused to take
a urinalysis test and reported the incident to ADAD.