Seed Founder Pledges Action

Sept 6, 1973

The Evening Independent

P 3-A

Seed Founder Pledges Action
by Kay Masters

‘I have the greatest CIA in the world’ ~Art Barker – Seed Founder

“By the end of the year, we’ll have 2500 kids straight in St. Petersburg.” Art Barker, founder of The Seed, told members of the St. Petersburg Bar Association at the group’s monthly luncheon meeting yesterday.

Introducing Barker, Pinellas-Pasco State Atty. James T. Russell told of a 418 per cent increase in the filing of criminal charges in the county. Probably two-thirds of that increase is the result of drugs or drug related crimes, Russell said.

A strict new law in New York carrying mandatory prison sentences from 15 years to life for possession or sale of drugs is one approach to the problem.  Russell said, “The Seed is another.

During his portion of the program, Barker introduced two “seedlings” who now are staff members in the rehabilitation effort. The stories told by John, 23, and Barney, 21, were similar. They both said peer pressure and the need to belong caused their turn to drugs. They told of despair at ever being “straight” again until they were forced by the court to go to The Seed. Both reported a new meaning and purpose in the lives – and a feeling of self worth and importance.

Barney closed her talk with “I love you all” and seemed close to tears. Barker said love and caring is the basis of The Seed’s program. He said the young people are taught they have the potential to be great.

Admitting he has a “big mouth,” Barker slammed the press, other drug programs, methadone and the big time pushers who supply the youngsters.

Calling The Seed the biggest, most successful and cheapest drug program in the world, Barker criticized the press for what he called slanted, biased reporting of his aims and methods when he moved into the St. Petersburg area.

Hitting other drug programs, Barker said everyone wanted The Seed in Dade County, “except the 27 other drug programs.” He said The Seed is a threat to the programs which “are taking millions of dollars from the community.” According to Barker it only costs $250 to rehabilitate a youngster at The Seed.

Methadone, Barker told the gathered attorneys, simply makes it easier for a junkie to find someone to hit on the head or shoot in order to support his drug habit. He said he never has had a youngster come to The Seed on methadone who wasn’t also on “junk.”

Barker said he is not against putting some persons in jail and has helped local law enforcement agencies put some away for 15 or 20 years. These were “not kids, but big time pushers,” Barker said.

“I have the greatest CIA in the world.” Barker said. “The kids get straight and want to help.  They tell me.  If there is a crooked cop or school teacher or judge or lawyer, I’ll find out.”

And that knowledge will be transferred to the proper authorities, Barker added. He said a number of school teachers in Broward County no longer are teaching because of information he provided. His information in Dade County led to the current grand jury investigation of 168 persons there, Barker added.

In answer to a question from a bar member, Barker said similar information is going to the police and state attorney’s office in this area as a result of what Seedlings tell him.

The Seed currently is in operation in Broward and Dade counties, Ste Petersburg and Ft. Pierce. Barker said he is going to Dallas, Tex. to meet statewide leaders interested in beginning a Seed there and 28 other states are “waiting in line.”

You’ve got to get the kids young.” Barker told the judges and attorneys.