Narconon Celebrates 40 Years Saving Lives
Los Angeles News: The successful program has helped millions of
people through effective drug education and rehabilitation and
expanded to become a worldwide network.
 Four decades ago an incarcerated heroin addict named William
Benitez decided that he had to try something new to save himself
from his addiction as well as to help other similarly afflicted
friends. He requested permission from Arizona state prison officials
to start a drug rehabilitation program with 20 addict inmates, but
was at first denied. Thankfully, he persisted because on February
19, 1966 he was finally granted permission and founded what he
called Narconon, meaning NARCotics-NONe.
Inspiration for the program came from a prison library book
Benitez had read by American author, humanitarian and founder of the
Church of Scientology
L. Ron Hubbard.
Benitez later wrote, “What impressed me the most about Hubbard’s
materials was that they concentrated not only on identifying
abilities, but also on methods, practical exercises, by which to
develop them. I realized that drug addiction was nothing more than a
‘disability’ resulting when a person ceases to use abilities
essential to constructive survival.” Benitez felt this viewpoint
offered a radically new and hopefully more effective approach toward
recovery from drugs. He wrote to Mr. Hubbard from jail requesting
assistance.
Commenting on Narconon’s beginnings, Clark Carr, President of
Narconon International in Los Angeles, said, “In the early '60s Mr.
Hubbard was certainly one of the very first to closely observe the
evolving drug culture and to predict the catastrophe accelerating
drug addiction would prove to the world.” Hubbard therefore
responded warmly to William Benitez's request for help and continued
to write up his observations on the effects of drugs on the
individual, his body, and society as a whole.
 The Narconon® program evolved, Carr said, in the crucible where
it was most needed, in use by addicts helping one another. After his
release, Benitez set up the first residential Narconon centre in Los
Angeles in 1971. In 1973 Mr. Hubbard conducted further nutritional
research to aid Narconon staff to help addicts safely through the
severe discomforts of withdrawal. The Narconon program adopted these
procedures and instituted a still unique drug-free withdrawal
method, using vitamins and mineral supplements along with special
techniques to ease mental and physical symptoms.
Another pioneering Hubbard innovation was adopted in 1978 -- the
Narconon New Life Detoxification Program. This tissue-cleansing
regimen of specific vitamin and mineral therapy with cardiovascular
exercise, intensive sweating in low heat saunas, and adequate
replacement of fluids and oils has proved immensely valuable to
recovering addicts, reducing the long-term physical and mental
effects of drug and other toxic residuals. The way those in recovery
put it – “The drugs have stopped talking to me!” Their cravings are
gone.
 The Narconon combination of drug-free withdrawal, sauna
detoxification and a series of life skills educational courses
addressing learning skills, ethics, self control, and how to change
conditions for the better, Carr added, is what makes the program so
unique and successful. Numerous case studies and other long-term
evaluations have shown that approximately three out of four of
Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Program graduates remain drug-free
after two years or longer, a significant result in a field that
otherwise admits of too much relapse and failure.
“The dedication of Narconon staff is not to be discounted
either,” Carr commented. “Many are recovered addicts and alcoholics
who have found new purpose to dedicate themselves to helping others
to overcome addiction.” Other Narconon staff, he said, have for
decades sought to educate youth and adults on the true dangers of
drugs, from elementary school children to radio listeners across
countries. Over the years, Narconon staff members have reached with
live and audio-visual presentations to millions of people worldwide,
offering guidance and help for drug prevention and education.
 From one man in one tiny cell in Arizona 40 years ago, the
Narconon Drug Education and Rehabilitation Program has grown into a
worldwide network helping thousands of people each day, comprising
now 135 centres and groups working to save lives in 40 countries
literally spanning the globe. “And more centres will be opening next
month and the month after that,” Carr predicted. Narconon has
received support and recognition from officials across the United
States and the world.
In praise of the hard-working staff, Carr remarked, “Ask any
Narconon staff member why Narconon has not only survived, but
continued to expand for so many years, and he or she will say, ‘For
one reason – because it works!’ And they should know because they
have been there, doing the work hands-on. Well done, I say, and
congratulations to them all.”
Photos (top down):
- William Benitez (far left) founded the first Narconon program in
Arizona State Prison in 1966.
- First Narconon residential drug rehabilitation outside of prison.
Located in Los Angeles, California, and opened in December 1971.
- Narconon Arrowhead International Training Centre’s grand opening
celebration in September 2001 in Oklahoma.
- Directors of Narconon centres at the international conference in
Mexico city, 2005.
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