This was sent to a TV station regarding their airing of Narconon's very slick PSA commercials. I've deleted identifying information to keep OSA hunting for the source and recipients of this letter.

I noticed a letter sent by ShyDavid several months ago and just read Barbs presentation and got inspired to post my letter.

NOTE: This was sent out before Chris' excellent new site went online.

--- TO: Xxxxxx@localTVstation

Subject: Narconon PSI airing on your TV station

Dear sir/madam:

I am writing to inform you about an organization that many doctors, rehabilitation specialists and individuals familiar with Narconon and Scientology consider to be fraudulent and dangerous. Narconon has been busy talking PSA Directors into airing Narconon's slick advertisements for their "services." Airing these PSA's place some of your viewers unaware of the true nature of Narconon at grave risk to their physical and mental health, should they decide to subject themselves to Narconon's dangerous "treatment."

I was amazed and shocked at same time to see the Narconon PSA run on your station recently and felt compelled to write you.

Please review the following information and drop the Narconon PSA for another drug rehab program... or even DARE spots (I disagree with their techniques too but at least they don't cause mental, health and finicial problems).

A good starting point to learn about the true nature of Narconon is here:

http://www.xenu.net/archive/narconon/ (site is presently down)

----------
NARCONON CLAIMS A SUCCESS RATE OF 76%

A 1981 study of Swedish graduates of Scientology's "Narconon" program showed that only 6.6% were still totally drug free a year later - a success rate far below that of conventional programs of 20-30%. Similar results came to light in a Spanish study on drug rehab groups... in this study all graduates of who recommended the Narconon program turned out to be ex-clients as employees and/or Scientologists of Narconon. Again, less than 7% were drug free a year later.

The United States National Institute on Drug Abuse, based in Maryland, does not know of a single peer reviewed piece scientific literature to support the Narconon program.

Scientology's pseudo-scientific drug rehab program based on L Ron Hubbard's drug cleansing "research" which has a "actual" success rate of only 7% and costs over $21,000... toss-in massive doses of niacin, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, exercise, hours at a time in saunas at up to 200°F, drinking vegetable oil, plus lots of Scientology - Hubbard teachings to supposedly cure your addiction. Narconon's "New Life Detoxification Course" program is sold by the Church of Scientology as the "Purification Rundown". It's not wholly identical, though it's substantially the same.

---------- WHAT OTHERS THINK OF NARCONON

[...] "The National Council Against Health Fraud evaluated a program similar to 'Second Chance' ('Second Chance' is the criminal system version of Narconon) several years ago and said that such detoxification methods do the opposite of what the Scientologists claim: Instead of releasing fat -- and thus toxins -- into the bloodstream, high doses of niacin block the release of fat and can cause liver damage." (Phoenix New Times, November 15, 2001 "State lawmakers push dubious Mexican drug rehab program")

The Mayor of London writes - [...] "I will not support the promotion of a drug treatment programme or drug education in London that is sponsored by the 'Church' of Scientology. Scientology is a commercial enterprise that harasses its critics, and preys on vulnerable people. Its anti-drugs activity is a means to promote and recruit people into its organisation, often with devastating consequences." (London Mayor Livingstone's response to Scientology's Narconon - August 30, 2001)

US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop wrote about Narconon/Scientology's detox program -- "My recommendation about detoxification is to keep away from it. You don't need it. I'm not sure it does what it [Narconon] describes. It's dangerous. I don't think L. Ron Hubbard has credibility in the scientific world. [Hubbard's] suggestions about detoxification can be detrimental to your health." Quoted from a Q & A, near the bottom of http://www2.gol.com/users/larabell/mirror/lisa/narcanon.htm. Which quoted the review of a book: Diet For a Poisoned Planet by David Steinman. Note: Chapter 18 of Steinman's book is little more than an advertisement for Scientology's "Purification Rundown" as delivered by HealthMed in Los Angeles, and Narconon at Chilocco, Oklahoma and other locations.

National Council Against Health Fraud on Narconon - [...] Health professionals who subject troubled people (many with psychiatric illnesses and/or severe emotional problems) to this unproven detoxification program are at best unethical and at worst guilty of health fraud. Since the Hubbard Method is clearly a religious ritual and is not a scientifically based procedure, it seems inappropriate for the state of Oklahoma to be involved in the licensing of an institution using this ritual. It would also be very inappropriate for any public funds to be used to pay for a religious ritual which is potentially harmful and of no proven benefit.

NARCONON PROGRAM FOR TEENS SHUT DOWN IN UTAH The State of Utah ceased sending troubled teens to Narconon once it discovered that Narconon is merely a recruiting front for Scientology. This story was aired on SLC's FOX News-13 Tuesday February 22, 2000 and had several follow-ups during the week after.

Links to the RealVideo of the news cast are here:

56k connections-
http://xentv.com/us/narconon-fox1.ram
http://xenutv.com/us/narconon-fox2.ram

Hi-band-
http://xenutv.com/us/hinarconon-fox1.ram
http://xenutv.com/us/hinarconon-fox2.ram

MORE TV EXPOSE ON NARCONON
http://xenutv.com/us/narconon.htm
-------------

IS NARCONON A PART OF SCIENTOLOGY?

The formerly "secret" IRS - Scientology agreement as published in the Wall Street Journal - 1997

Scientology's relation to its' so-called social and public benefit entities such as Scientology schools, drug treatment & criminal system programs and attacks on licensed mental health professionals is not a secret anymore. Over 150 Scientology entities got recognition in the agreement.

Don't let Scientologists deny the connections to Narconon.

/quote from the IRS-Scientology agreement "4. The social benefit and other public benefit entities discussed at pages 1-28 through 1-42 of the June submission along with all subsidiaries, subordinate chapters, subordinate organizations, or sublicensees thereof (e.g., organizations that are permitted to use particular names, copyrights, service marks, and/or technologies) are Scientology-related entities. Thus, for example, Citizens Commission on Human Rights [CCHR], National Commission on Law Enforcement and Social Justice, Scientology Defense Fund Trust, Association for the Better Living and Education [ABLE], Applied Scholastics Incorporated, Narconon International, The Way to Happiness Foundation, and the Foundation for Religious Freedom are Scientology-related entities. Pages 1-28 through 1-42 are attached as Exhibit VIII-2 to this Agreement." /end quote

It's important to note that Narconon pays a percentage of their revenue (15-20%) to the Church of Scientology for use of Hubbard's writings.

The following "social-benefit" entities are listed as "Patrons of IAS" (International Association of Scientologists - "established to protect and defend Scientology", from a speech by Scientology leader David Miscavige): ABLE International, Applied Scholastics, Narconon, Narconon Southern California, Narconon Los Molinos, Narconon Retiro and Narconon Spain and Robert M. Wiggins - a leading Narconon promoter to children. Entries have paid $40,000 to $750,000 and/or recruited 100 individuals into the 'Church' of Scientology in order to get on the lists. Wiggins of Narconon is also on the "Honor Roll" of IAS for outstanding recruitment for Scientology through Narconon.

------------

One of the best links about Scientology and some info on Narconon can be found here: http://www.xenu.net (site is presently down) and more information on Narconon & Scientology here: http://www.gospelcom.net/apologeticsindex/n05.html

Please note it takes something serious for me to consider writing such a long letter after doing my research.

I hope your station will seriously reconsider the airing of PSA's for Narconon, it is truly a disservice to the public.

If you have any questions or need internet links to verify the information above, please email me at xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.com

Sincerely,
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx