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Related Topics:Narconon_Drug_Abuse_Treatment
- Narconon is not associated with Narcotics Anonymous, which is sometimes abbreviated "Narcanon".
Scientology's Narconon is an in-patient rehabilitation program for drug abusers in several dozen treatment centers worldwide, chiefly in the United States and western Europe.
History
Narconon was established February 19, 1966 as a drug rehabilitation program based on "The Fundamentals of Thought" by L. Ron Hubbard and delivered to drug abusers in the Arizona State Prisons. The name "Narconon" originally referred not to an organization but to the program. Its creator was William Benitez, a former inmate at Arizona State Prison who had served time for narcotics offenses.Narconon The Origins of the Narconon Program (accessed Jun 4, 2006) His work was supported by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and in 1972 Hubbard sponsored the incorporation of Narconon as an organization.Narconon "L. Ron Hubbard and the Narconon program" (accessed Jun 4, 2006) It was co-founded by Benitez and two Scientologists, Henning Heldt and Arthur Maren.
The Narconon website reports from its inception, the program promoted an approach to rehabilitation without recourse to alternative drugs. This early program did not, however, deal directly with withdrawal symptoms. In 1973, the Narconon program adopted procedures to include drug-free withdrawal, using vitamins and mineral supplements in tandem with training procedures adapted from basic courses in Scientology.
In December 1988, the president of the Church of Scientology, Heber Jentzsch was arrested in Spain after an investigation into Narconon revealed that he and the Church of Scientology were fraudulently stealing money from Spanish citizens and running its centers with unqualified staff. Stephen Koff "Top Scientologist Arrested in Spain" St. Petersberg Times Nov 22, 1988 pg. 1A Spanish citizens began "flooding" the courthouse with phone calls complaining of being hoodwinked by Narconon. The judge in the case said at a news conference after the arrests that the only god of the church is money, and he compared the church to a pyramid scheme in which members pay increasing sums of money. He said that Narconon swindled its clients and lured them into Scientology. Steven Koff "Scientology leader still jailed in Spain; church charges 'persecution'" St. Petersburg Times Dec 10, 1988 In 1989, in Italy this time, 75 Scientologists were arrested and an investigation showed that "parents of drug addicts were paying heavy monthly fees to Narconon, which advertised itself as a drug rehabilitation and cure center, but getting nothing in return."Ruth Gruber "75 Scientologists go on trial today // 'It should be a lively court session'" St. Petersburg Times Mar 29, 1989 pg. 11.A
Their affiliation with the controversial Church of Scientology has made Narconon itself a focus of controversy.Marie Price "House nixes honor for substance-abuse facility: The treatment center sparks controversy because of its ties to Scientology" Tulsa World May 3 2003 pg A19 The organization has taken steps to publicly distance itself from the Church, though it has never denied that many of its administrators are committed Scientologists or that its methods are based on the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. In the early days, Narconon used unaltered Scientology materials in its courses, and Church of Scientology executives were directly managing the organization (founders Heldt and Maren were high-ranking members of the Church's public relations department known as the Guardian's Office.United States vs. Mary Sue Hubbard et al., 493 F. Supp. 209, (D.D.C. 1979) (hosted by the Lisa McPherson Trust)) However, as Narconon promoted its drug-treatment services to a variety of governmental jurisdictions within the US, the organization repeatedly found itself at the center of controversy when the Scientology connection was raised by journalists or politicians. Not only did the Church of Scientology have serious public image problems, but the link with Scientology raised questions about the constitutional appropriateness of governmental bodies sponsoring a religiously-affiliated organization (see Lemon v. Kurtzman). These problems were further intensified by claims that the treatment program was medically unsound and numerous allegations that the Narconon treatment program serves as a Church of Scientology fundraising and recruitment program.Charles Rusnell Experts challenge claims of Scientology's sweat-it-out treatment for addicts The Edmonton Journal, May 23, 2006 pg. A2 Alan McEwen "Scientology-link group is banned", Edinburgh Evening News, 18 March, 2004 (accessed Jun 4, 2006) A March 1-5, 1998 Boston Herald series exposed how two Scientology-linked groups, Narconon and the World Literacy Crusade, have used anti-drug and learn-to-read programs to gain access to public schools without disclosing their Scientology ties.Joseph Mallia "INSIDE THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY; Scientology reaches into schools through Narconon" Boston Herald Mar 3, 1998 Pg. 018 Jim MacLaughlin and Andrew Gully "Church of Scientology probes Herald reporter - Investigation follows pattern of harassment" Boston Herald Mar 19, 1998 Pg. 004 After the Herald report was published, Heber Jentzsch, president of the Church of Scientology International, confirmed that the church's Los Angeles law firm hired the private investigative firm to look into the personal life of reporter Joseph Mallia, who wrote the series. The Herald noted numerous other instances over the years where reporters were harassed with "noisy investigations" after writing stories exposing the Church's misdeeds.
Narconon has developed its own secularized course materials in response to the concerns they operate as a marketing tool for the Church. These have evolved through several iterations to produce Narconon's current "New Life Program." While this program is very similar to pre-existing Scientology courses, Narconon insists that it is entirely "non-religious" in nature and rarely if ever mentions Scientology in its publications.
These changes have not silenced the controversy. In the early 1990s, Narconon opened a large treatment center near Newkirk, Oklahoma, resulting in a series of critical articles in a local newspaper.Bob Lobsinger "Chilocco Drug Treatment Center May Be Part of Notorious Religious Cult" Newkirk Herald Journal Apr 27, 1989 (hosted by David Touretzky) The Oklahoma Department of Health demanded that Narconon be licensed with the stateMcNutt, Michael "Narconon Claims It's Not Subject to State Regulation". Daily Oklahoman Jul 11, 1990 (hosted by David Touretzky), but the Board of Mental Health refused approval, stating "No scientifically well-controlled independent, long-term outcome studies were found that directly and clearly establish the effectiveness of the Narconon program for the treatment of chemical dependency and the more credible evidence establishes Narconon's program is not effective ... The Board concludes that the program offered by Narconon-Chilocco is not medically safe."Findings of Fact regarding the Narconon-Chilocco Application For Certification by the Board of Mental Health, State of Oklahoma, 13 December 1991 (hosted by David Touretzky) Even the New York Times wrote a story detailing how the town's initial euphoria at the prospect of a drug treatment center has been replaced by distrust, frustration and fear. Townspeople said that Narconon was not honest about its affiliation with the Church of Scientology, its financing, its medical credentials and its plans for the project. A Narconon spokesman quoted for the story said that all the appearances of deception reported by the townspeople, such as the group which praised Narconon at a public ceremony and presented it with a check for $200,000 and turned out to itself be part of Narconon, were due to "false information being fed in there by somebody who's in favor of drug abuse ... They're either connected to selling drugs or they're using drugs." Narconon's Scientologist attorney Tim Bowles filed a series of lawsuits against Oklahoma institutions and officials and eventually obtained accreditation through the Arizona-based Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities in 1992; Oklahoma officials then agreed to exempt Narconon from the state licensing requirement and the facility was allowed to operate.
In 1999, Scientologists from Clearwater, Florida tried to get a Narconon drug education program installed into the Pinellas County, Florida school district. After a hearing on the matter, a school district committee refused to allow students to participate in an anti-drug program based on the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, citing that teaching students about the "tone scale" and other trappings of Scientology was inappropriate for a drug education program for their schools.Shelby Oppel "School panel rejects anti-drug program" Saint Petersburg Times Apr 13, 1999
More recently, Narconon offered an anti-drug program to public schools in California, free of charge. A series of articles in the San Francisco Chronicle on June 9 and 10, 2004 resulted in California school officials investigating Narconon's claims. As a result of the investigation, on February 23, 2005, the state's superintendent of public instruction, Jack O'Connell, officially recommended all schools in the state reject the Narconon program after the evaluation found it taught inaccurate and unscientific information. "Schools urged to drop antidrug program", The San Francisco Chronicle, 23 February 2005. (accessed June 4, 2006)
While the effectiveness of their treatment program is a subject of dispute, a number of celebrities have publicly attested that it was helpful in their own lives. Musician Nicky Hopkins and actress Kirstie Alley Additional convenience link at *. both credit Narconon for their recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol. Alley has since become a public spokesperson for Narconon.
By the end of 2005, according to the International Association of Scientologists, Narconon was operating 183 rehabilitation centres around the world. New centres opened in that year included Hastings, UK, and Stone Hawk, Michigan. "IAS 21st Anniversary Event, Impact 112, 2006
Narconon's treatment method
The "New Life Program" consists of two principal stages: "detoxification" and "rehabilitation." The "New Life Detoxification Program", adapted from Hubbard's Purification Rundown, involves a daily regimen of individually tailored vitamins, oil and multi-minerals with special attention to the minerals magnesium and calcium and closely supervised dosages of niacinHubbard Communication Office Bulletin of 6 February 1978RD, plus exercise and lengthy sessions in a sauna.
The remainder of the Narconon course uses "training routines" or "TRs" originally devised by Hubbard to teach communications skills to Scientologists.Church of Scientology The Fundamental Skills of Auditing: Hubbard Professional TR Course (accessed Jun 4, 2006) In the Narconon variant, these courses are designed to "rehabilitate" drug abusers. These training routines include TR 8, which involves the individual commanding an ashtray to "stand up" and "sit down", and thanking it for doing so, as loudly as they can.Hubbard, Narconon Communication & Perception Course Book 4a, 2004 edition. (pg. 447-482)Joseph Mallia "Inside the Church of Scientology; Sacred teachings not secret anymore" Boston Herald Mar 4, 1998 pg. 025 Former Scientologists say that the purpose of the drill is for the individual to "beam" their "intention" into the ashtray to make it move. Janet Reitman Inside Scientology Rolling Stone, Issue 995. March 9, 2006.
Patients spend an average of 3 to 4 months in the Narconon facilities in the United States, for a fee which is different at every Narconon Center. The price ranges from $10,000 to about $30,000.Leigh Woolsley "Case for the Cure", Tulsa World, 6 November 2005 pg. D-1
Controversies
Since its establishment, Narconon has faced considerable controversy over the safety and effectiveness of its rehabilitation methods and the organization's links to the Church of Scientology. The medical profession has been sharply critical of Narconon's methods, which rely on theories of drug metabolism that are not widely supported.Marc Sommer "Addiction Specialists Criticize Detoxification Program" Buffalo News Feb 1, 2005, pg A6 Particular criticism has been directed at the therapy's use of vitamins (including massive doses of niacin) and extended sauna sessions. Although Narconon claims a success rate of over 70%, no verifiable evidence for this appears to have been published by the organization, and independent researchers have found considerably lower rates — as low as 6.6% in the case of a Swedish research study.Peter Gerdman "Utvärderingen av Narconon Del 1: En Studie Om Och Med En Länkrörelse Bland Drogmissbrukare I Stockholm" -- 1981 Swedish research study of Narconon program (hosted by David Touretzky)
Narconon is part of the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE). Narconon refers frequently to its connection to L. Ron Hubbard and its website acknowledges that Narconon's name and logo are trademarks and service marks owned by ABLE and are used with its permission. In return for license of the trademarks from ABLE, Narconon centers pay 10% of their gross income to Narconon International.Association for Better Living and Education Narconon license agreement (archived March 18, 2005)
In January 2001, Narconon came under fire when they appeared to copy the entire layout and site design of the webzine Urban75.com for their websites heroinaddiction.com and cocaineaddiction.com, among others.Thomas C. Greene "Scientologist Web site rips off urban75.com: Moneyed cult gets hip in the worst way" The Register, 22 Jan, 2001 (accessed Jun 4, 2006) The editor of Urban75 posted up comparisons of the copying, showing that Narconon had not even removed Urban75s hidden javascript code, unique to Urban75.Urban75 "Narconon and urban75 - the ultimate homage" (accessed Jun 4, 2006) The Register noted the irony of this scandal, quoting a critic who wrote, "Scientology has sued countless individuals and organizations putatively for 'copyright violation' and the organization claims loudly that they're at the 'forefront of protecting proprietary information on the Internet'."Lester Haines "Scientology exposé finds favour" The Register Jan 26, 2001 (accessed Jun 4, 2006). After pressure from Urban75 readers, Narconon eventually removed the copied layout, but never responded to queries about the site or admitted any copying.
In March 2002, it was reported that a man was convicted of possession of heroin with intent to sell, arising from an incident where he was found with 31 packets of heroin during a police investigation of a disturbance at a store on Sept 9, 2000. The man worked at a Narconon facility in Georgia at the time. While the man was waiting to be sentenced, the judge allowed him to remain free on $15,000 bail and return to his duties as a drug rehab counselor at Narconon, despite the objections from the prosecutor of the case.Thomas L. Flannery "Former city man found guilty of heroin possession; Is now working as drug rehab counselor in Georgia" Lancaster Intellegencer Journal March 9, 2002. Pg. B-1
Notes and references
External links
Church of Scientology supported sites
- Narconon
- The Purification Rundown
- "Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education" (pdf file) hosted by Criminon.org
Others
- Narconon Drug Abuse Prevention Program Evaluation by the State of California.
- The Communications TRs
- Narconon Exposed — covers media reports, source documents, studies and research papers.
- Stop Narconon (David S. Touretzky)
- Operation Clambake Archive on Narconon (Operation Clambake)
"Narconon"