I shall appreiciate corrections and updates. Please send them to me on the e-mail address above, and I shall include them in future versions as I see fit.

Below is a FAQ I have prepared on Narconon, the Scientology drug rehabilitation program operating whose main site is a 75 bed residential drug and alcohol treatment facility in Oklahoma.

Their address is:

Narconon Chilocco
Box 400
Newkirk, Oklahoma 74647
United States

The international HQ of Narconon is located in Los Angeles, California:

Narconon International
6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 2020
Los Angeles, California,
USA 90028

After the Oklahoma State Medical Board refused to accredit Narconon Chilocco, the facility received accreditation from the private enterprise "Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities" (CARF). Its address is:

Commission on Accreditiation of Rehabilitiation Facilities
101 North Wilmot Road, Suite 500
Tucson, AZ 85711
+1.602.748.1212

The answers below is based upon my own correspondence with Narconon staff, postings in the Usenet newsgroup "alt.religion.scientology". and promotional material supplied by Narconon themselves.

I have also used excerpts from the documents "Evaluation conducted at the request of the California State Department of Health", submitted to Don Z. Miller, Deputy Director, Health Treatment System, State Department of Health, Sacramento, CA, on 31 Oct 1974 [CSD1974]; and "Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law on the Narconon Chilocco Application for Certification', Oklahoma State Board of Mental Health [OSB1992], based upon hearings (including witness testimony and exhibits) held in Oklahoma on October and December 1991. These documents are interesting reading, and those interested should contact the respective bodies for the complete versions.

A heartfelt "thank you" to a number of individuals who helped provide background material for this note, and in particular to Brian Wenger who followed up a number of requests directly with Narconon after the organization has ceased to respond to my letters.

FAQ: Is the Narconon program safe?

ANS: An evaluation conducted at the request of the California State Department of Health noted that:

"Narconon also advertises detoxification with mega-vitamins and other non-medical procedures that may be hazardous and in some cases lethal." [CSD1974]

The Oklahoma State Board of Mental Health concluded that:

"No scientifically well-controlled studies were found that documented the safety of the Narconon program. There are potential dangers from the use of non-medical staff who may be unable to interpret the possibility of seizures, delerious, cardiac arrythmia, or hallucinations that are phenomena associated with the cessation of drugs. There is also a potential risk of the reported reexperience of the abused drug effect during the sauna sweat out program may be the result of misinterpreted symptoms of hyperthermia or electrolyte imbalance. Moreover, the multiple findings of fact heretofore entered by the Board establish that Narconon's program is not safe." [OSB1992]

FAQ: Is the Narconon program drug-free?

ANS: A glossy brochure titled "Narconon Drug Rehabilitation and Education Services" [NAR1989] asserts that "[Narconon] is a totally drug-free, highly effective program to rehabilitate drug and alcohol abusers..." and the total absence of drugs in the program is repeatedly touted as one of main features of the program.

According to a testimonial given by Narconon's medical director, Dr. Ray Stowers in an hearing in Oklahoma City on Oct. 24 1991, staff at the Narconon Chilocco New Life Center prescribes Valium and sedatives to patients going through difficult withdrawals.

After some [mental health] board members questioned why Narconon has no licensed person, like a nurse, on staff to distribute medicine, Narconon lawyer Harry Woods Jr. said the center would hire one.

Under further quesitoning, Stowers agreed that the center's program is not actually "drug-free" as its literature claims.

Mike St. Amnons, the center's public relations director, said under questioning in Oct. 1991 that Narconon's manual describing the program as drug-free should be changed. I am now on Narconon's mailing list, and promotional material NAR1993] sent me in 1995 (letter postmarked June 19, 1995, actual leaflet copyrighted 1993) still describes the program as "drug-free".

Dr. Stowers also admitted that he occationaly had prescribed Valium and sedatives by phone to such patients. Handing out prescriptions of controlled and highly addictive substances such as Valium over the phone is usually not viewed as responsible medical practice.

FAQ: Is the Narconon program in any way funded or sponsored by state or goverment in any European nations?

ANS: According to John Duff, the President of Narconon International:

"In Sweden, the government donated the Narconon building, and local social boards have funded people through the program. In Switzerland, the program is usually 100% funded by social programs. In Holland, Denmark, Italy and Germany, some of the Narconon participants have been funded by the government."

However, no specific programs or agencies have been named. Several letters and faxes by myself to Narconon Chilocco specifically requesting such references have only been answered with letters containing standard promotional literature that does not give this information.

An evaluation conducted at the request of the California State Department of Health [CSD1974] deals explicitly with Narconon's use of a state grant it at that time received to treat drug addicts. The examiners concluded that the grant was not used for its intended purposes:

"Since the Church of Scientology is a religion[sic] it appears that State money is being directly used to support a church[sic]." [CSD1974]

Narconon has since lost its funding from California State Department of Health.

FAQ: What is the cost of the Narconon drug rehabilition program?

ANS:

"It costs US$ 15,000.- [[in 1992]] to get one person fully completed through the Narconon program Narconon Chilocco New Life Center in Oklahoma". [NAR1992].

[NOTE: Some victims pay much, much more: $20,000 to $25,000.]

FAQ: How long does it take to complete the Narconon drug rehabilition program?

ANS:

"The program is completed when the individual has regained self-respect, is drug-free and has no desire to return to drug use. While this usually takes 12 weeks, there is no additional billings if it takes longer." [NAR1991]

In a follow-up on the Narconon discussion in alt.religion.scientology, one correspondent related his personal experience with the Narconon program as follows:

"These people sucked me dry and spit me out like a watermelon seed."

FAQ: It is true that the Narconon program is based upon the belief that addicts, when they are cured, can return to using the substances they have been addicted to?

ANS: Yes. The following excerpt is quoted from the Narconon course material used in the treatment of people addicted to alcohol (from the Narconon Chilocco's New Life Program, Part Eight: "The Way to Happiness Course", developed by L. Ron Hubbard) [HUB89] (the footnotes are LRH's):

"Be temperate{5} [..] Do not take alcohol to excess. [...] Alcohol has some medicinal value. It can be grossly overestimated. [...] A little liquor goes a long way; don't let too much of it wind up in unhappiness and death. Deter{6} people from excessive drinking.

[5] temperate: not going to extremes; not overdoing things; controlling one's cravings.
[6] deter: to prevent or discourage.

The Oklahoma State Board of Mental Health concluded that:

"Narconon clients are counseled by Narconon staff that it is acceptable for the client to drink alcohol after being discharged from the Narconon program and if the client is incapable of being able to drink alcohol, then this fact evidences the client's need for further treatment. Such counseling endangers the client's safety, health and/or the physical or mental well being, and is not in accord with acceptable drug and alcohol counseling and treatment." [OSB1992]

FAQ: What sort of studies exist to substantiate the effectiveness of the Narconon program.

Narconon says in its literature that there have been two studies done of the effectiveness of their program [NAR1989]:

A. An independent 1981 Swedish study of 13 Narconon graduates, that showed that 76% of those that completed the Narconon Program were still drug free two years later.

B. An independent Spanish study 50 Narconon graduates was conducted in Mar/Apr 1987 by "Tecnicos Asociados de Investigacion y Marketing" (TAIM) for the Ministry of Health and Social Services and showed that 70% of the graduates were drug-free two years later.

An earlier study, of parolees from the Arizona State Prison with a succes rate of 86%, is mentioned in [CSD1974], but is no longer cited by Narconon.

Very little is known about these studies. _No_ study about the effectiveness of Narconon can be located using the computerized bibliographic search mechanisms avialiable to me through a major university library. Narconon International claims to have copies of the TAIM study "on file" (they say nothing about the "Swedish" or "Arizona" study), but has not responded to requests for copies and publication data. Anyway, nowhere in the material supplied me by Narconon International is it claimed that these studies are "published", "peer-reviewed" or "scientific".

According to John Duff of Narconon International, both studies was commisioned by Narconon, so Narconon seems to be dishonest about the nature of these studies by claiming in their literature that they are "independent". The claim that the TAIM study was "for" the "Ministry of Health and Social Services" also seem to be deceptive.

John Duff of Narconon International ha informed me that the Spanish study was headed by Dr. Esquerdo (105); TAIM, PDAL, 28007, Madrid, Spain, and that TAIM can be reached on the following Madrid phone number: +34 1 273-7400. An organization with the name "TAIM", "Tecnicos Asociados de Investigacion y Marketing", or anything similar is not at the address given, and is not listed in any current Spanish phone directories or commercial directories. The phone number given by John Duff seems also to be out of use, so TAIM has either ceased trading or changed its name and location.

The name of the organization responsible for the Swedish study is not known.

Nothing is said about the source, duration or methodology used for either studies.

A "Swedish" and "Spanish" study is also quoted in the section on Narconon in the book "What is Scientology", giving amazingly accurate statistics for the programs effectiveness (84.6% and 78.37% and respectively). It is not clear whether this reference is to the same or to different studies.

On the subject of studies an evaluation conducted at the request of the California State Department of Health noted that:

"Narconon claims to have an 86% cure rate for narcotics addicts which is simply not true. Mr. Greg Zerovnik, National Director - Narconon U.S., explained that the 86% figure came from a study of parolees from the Arizona State Prison who may or may not have been narcotics addicts. This sort of claim is, of course, misleading to both the prospective client and to public officials who are sincerely attempting to find ways to cope with the problem of drug abuse." [CSD1974]

And the Oklahoma State Board of Mental Health concluded that:

"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." [OSB1992]

One key to understanding the extraordinary high success figures (in [CSD1974] dryly noted as being "either misleading or miraculous") is this observation:

"In the opinion of the evaluation team there was little evidence that a significant number of the clients treated at Narconon were drug dependent individuals." [CSD1974]

FAQ: What is the link between Scientology and Narconon?

ANS: The words "Scientology" and "Dianetics" is carefully avoided in all Narconon promotional literature, and Narconon attempts to present itself as something separate from "Scientology" and "Dianetics". But the curriclium gives the game away. The Narconon "New Life" program is basically an eight part introduction to Scientology, as should be evident from the titles of the eigth parts (all authored by founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard) that make up the full program:

Part 1: Therapeutic TR Course (TR = Training Routines, standard introductory level Scientology Course).

Part 2: Clear body, clear mind (the infamous purification rundown, involving exerise, 5 hour long sauna sessions, "Cal-Mag", (a laxative mixture of oil, vinegar, calcium and magnesium) and mega-doses of vitamins (including Niacin, a substance suspected to cause liver damage when taken in quantity)

Part 3: Learning Improvement Course (the highlight of this is learning "how to fully use a dictionary" -- which is more sinister than it sounds, as language games and a private vocabulary and semantics is one of technics used by Scientology to isolate followers from friends, family and mainstream life).

Part 4: Communication & Perception Course (built around the Scientology practice of "auditing" (confessionals while hooked up to a primitive lie-detector type device called an "E-meter").

Part 5: Ups & Downs in Life Course (all about anti-social personalities and how to spot them. Clue: these dangerous individudals are not overly enthusiastic about Scientology or the semi-godhood of L. Ron Hubbard).

Part 6: Personal Values and Integrity Course (more about the Scientology prespective on ethics).

Part 7: Changing Conditions in Life Course (standard Scientology fare).

Part 8: The Way to Happiness Course (Individual ethics. Hubbard's hack rewrite of the Ten Commandments -- with footnotes. Makes you realize what a piece of great writing the Old Testament is.)

An evaluation conducted at the request of the California State Department of Health noted:

"All of the literature and books are directly derived from Scientology and most staff are already or are becoming Scientologists." [CSD1974]

and:

"Occuring in a stepwise fashion from rigidly simple rote exercises through the more complex 'auditing' process and (for those who can afford it) a multiplicity of 'clear' and 'Post-Clear' states promising total personal and environmental control. Theoretically it is a patchwork of Freudian, Gestalt, Pavlovian, science fiction and Eastern (reincarnation) ideas unequivocably sutured together with L. Ron Hubbard's terminology. Indeed, the initial exercises require in addition to a standard English dictionary, a special Narconon dictionary enabling the 'student' to understand the Narconon/Scientology terminology." [CSD1974]

Narconon International share the Los Angeles address and suite number of ABLE (Association for Better Living and Education). ABLE is a well known Scientology front organization.

FAQ: What sort of therapy is used by Narconon for various types of addiction.

ANS: The program does not dicriminate between different types of addiction -- or between addiction and recreational drug use.

The same treatment: Scientology courses, "auditing" and the "purification rundown" is applied in all cases. There is no attempt to distinguish between (say) recreative use of cannabis and massive and habitual use of opiates. It is implied that the same therapy will be equally effective in all cases.

The Oklahoma State Board of Mental Health observed 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 addictions." [OSB1992]

[AP1991]: "Narconon Granted Further Licensing Delay By State Board of Mental Health" (report in the "Daily Oklahoman" on a day long public hearing on Narconon, distributed natiowide on the AP wire 1991 October 24, from Oklahoma City).

[CSD1974]: "Evaluation conducted at the request of the California State Department of Health", submitted to Don Z. Miller, Deputy Director, Health Treatment System, State Department of Health, Sacramento, CA, on 31 Oct 1974.

[HUB1989]: L. Ron Hubbard: "The Way to Happiness", Bridge Publications, 1989.

[LOB1991]: Robert Lobsinger: "State Mental Health Board Denises Narconon Certification Bid", Newkirk Herald Journal, 1991 December 19.

[NAR1989]: "Narconon Drug Rehabilitation and Education Services" (32 page glossy brochure).

[NAR1991]: "Narconon Chilocco New Life Center" (turquise 1991 1 page brochure).

[NAR1992]: "Narconon Chilocco New Life Center" (1992 4 page brochure).

[NAR1993]: "Narconon Chilocco New Life Center" (yellow 1993 1 page brochure).

[OSB1992]: "Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law on the Narconon Chilocco Application for Certification', Oklahoma State Board of Mental Health, 1992.