Bad Reputation?

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.“  -John Wooden

One of our salespeople came to my office upset because the nonprofit he called wasn't interested in the drug screening tests we sell to raise funds.

At first the woman seemed interested, but when she found out our salesman worked for TLC she said "oh you're from TLC. I know who they are." Her tone suggested something negative about our organization.

One thing we often encounter is our bad reputation. In some circles – even on prison yards - we have a reputation for being "mean."

This stems from the fact that we have zero tolerance for drug use – even prescription drug use - on our property. When clients use drugs we refer them elsewhere – or make them leave if they don’t accept the referral. There are many halfway houses and programs in our area that are tolerant of drug use; they'll accept anyone as long as they pay.

As a result of our policies former clients often blame it on TLC when they’re discharged. They’ll say that we’re nothing but a “dope house” as way of getting back at us. Or else we’re “all about money” because we make them pay a whopping $110 a week for room and board. But the simple fact is they won't accept responsibility for their behavior.

And sometimes when former clients bad rap us there are those – mostly people with little education about addicts – who take their stories at face value.

Hopefully – if they offer help to these former clients - they’ll have a better experience than we did.