I've sent the Battle Creek Enquirer a letter rebutting this pack of lies (call a spade a spade):

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Dear Sir,

In seeking to "clear up misrepresentations" concerning Narconon, Ms Kate Wickstrom has perpetrated a few of her own.

The supposedly secular basis of Narconon was examined in 1974 by the California State Department of Health, which concluded that "There appears to be little difference between Narconon and the Church of Scientology ... All of the literature and books are directly derived from Scientology and most staff are already or are becoming Scientologists." The Oklahoma State Medical Board reported in 1991 that "The vast majority of time spent in the Narconon treatment plan and course work does not in any way relate to or involve education about drug and alcohol abuse treatment, issues, and/or addiction." Narconon's director between 1971-83, Lt Col Mark Jones, stated on oath in 1995 that "Although it was publicly admitted that Narconon used the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, and was sponsored by the Church of Scientology, its true relationship - i.e. that it was wholly controlled by the Church of Scientology, was never publicly admitted."

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has never endorsed Narconon. An EPA toxicologist, Mr. William Marcus, supports Narconon but according to his superior, Mr. Michael Cook, the Director of the EPA Office of Wastewater Management, Marcus has "made it clear that he was not speaking as an EPA employee."

There is little or no credible independent verification of Narconon's methods. The State of Oklahoma found in 1991 that "No scientifically well-controlled independent, long-term outcome studies were found that directly and clearly establish the effectiveness of the Narconon program." The United States Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Everett R. Rhoades, stated in 1989 that Narconon's methods "cannot be considered medically sound." Only last August, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, declared Narconon to be a "spurious medical programme" which is "a cynical method of promoting the Scientology creed".

Chris Owen
London,
England