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A New Times investigation discovered that physical and psychological abuse of children was common at Growing Together, a drug treatment center for adolescents in Lake Worth, Florida. The facility was founded as an offshoot of Straight Inc., which shuttered in 1993 following a state investigation that discovered political influence kept the program in operation despite findings of child abuse. Through public records, New Times found that children were systematically neglected, humiliated, and abused, and forced into subduing other kids at Growing Together.