September 15, 2009
A Statement from SageWalk
SageWalk Wilderness School has received notice of an investigation by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Investigations and Training due to the recent death of one of our students that occurred on August 28. DHS has requested that we remove all students from SageWalk until the investigation is complete, and we are cooperating with this request.
In addition, local law enforcement is conducting an investigation and has executed a search warrant. We have not seen the affidavit for the search warrant and are therefore not in a position to discuss any factual matters or further details.
We firmly believe there to be no basis for these actions.
At this time, the exact details surrounding the student’s death are still being determined and autopsy results are not yet available.
SageWalk considers student safety our number one priority and is confident in a positive resolution to this investigation. Over the course of our 12 year history, our program has adhered to the highest standards of care and we currently meet or exceed all industry and state standards. We were the first wilderness program to be individually accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, and we are licensed by the State of Oregon to work with students who are experiencing issues with substance abuse and are also licensed by the State of Oregon as both an Outdoor Youth Program and Private School.
Due to the limited information available, this is all we are able to communicate at this time.
CONTACT:
Mike Bednarz, MS, MBA
Executive Director
SageWalk Wilderness School
(541) 316-4800
