As if we didn't already know, here's another mention of Narconon being an "introduction to Scientology".

I was trying out the new Google Print <http://print.google.com/> and for the hell of it, searched on the term "Scientology". Wow, lots of books with at least a mention of Scientology.

One of the books I looked into is _Addictions and Native Americans_ by Laurence French.

"... Although the terms 'Scientology' and 'Dianetics' are absent from the Narconon literature, its 'New Life' program is essentially an eight-part introduction to Scientology, a "religious" orientation that denies the existence of psychiatric illness. These components -- 'Therapeutic TR' (Scientology training routines), 'Clear Body/Clear Mind' (controversial laxative, exercise, mega-vitamin routine), 'Learning Improvement' (introduction to Scientology jargon), 'Communication & Perception,' 'Ups & Downs in Life,' 'Personal Values and Integrity' (Scientology ethics), 'Changing Conditions in Life Course,' and 'The Way to Happiness Course' (Scientology's take on the Ten Commandments) -- all serve to orient the patient suffering from substance- related disorders to the cult's perspective."

The author continues with a description of the dangerous nature of Narconon treatment:

"... In its application to the Oklahoma Board of Mental Health in October and December 1991 for certification for the program at Chilocco, it became clear that Narconon International did not subscribe to the scientisist-practitioner model of mental or physical health, let alone being culturally sensitive to the Native Americans it hoped to treat. Its concept of 'purification sweats' was five-hour sessions, seven days a week for a month, followed with mega-vitamin and mineral doses and cessation of any psychotropic or other forms of medications, regardless of comorbid diagnoses.

"These dangerous practices not only did not protect patients from seizures, delirium, or psychiatric decompensation but often caused these adverse considerations. Instead of properly trained and licensed or certified clinicians, former patients were recruited as staff, in order to control the curriculum and promote the converstion process at Narconon-Chilocco. After reviewing the Narconon-Chilocco program, the Oklahoma Board of mental Health concluded that the Narconon program was ineffective in the treatment of chemical dependency for anyone, certainly not Native Americans. Its certification was denied, but the program continued to operate."

Keshet
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ARS.to.Keshet(at)spamgourmet.com * http://solitarytrees.net/
Where prejudice exists it always discolors our thoughts. -MT