Forward: For a systematic, detailed, professional exposure of
Scientology's "Narconon" front group, visit the
Narconon Exposed web site.
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=314912004
Scientology-link group is banned
A DRUG counselling group linked to the controversial Church of
Scientology has been banned from Edinburgh University's student union.
The organisation called Narconon put up posters about its services on
Edinburgh Student Association (EUSA) notice boards without permission.
Now union officials have pulled the posters down and outlawed any
further adverts being displayed.
They are concerned Narconon may be used to recruit new members for
Scientology, which has often targeted students in the Capital.
The Narconon posters contain no references to the quasi-religious
group despite using the principles of its founder L Ron Hubbard, to
treat addicts.
Mark Calder, EUSA vice-president, said the appearance of posters for
Narconon had been "a source of concern". He added: "We
have to be careful that drug and alcohol rehabilitation groups are
impartial and only have a person's wellbeing at heart.We could not
be sure that Narconon was independent.
"We carried out research which showed it has strong links with
Scientology. We were also concerned that this link was not made
explicit so a decision was made to take the posters down."
Narconon has denied acting as a recruiter for Scientology, which has a
city base in South Bridge.
Eve McKenzie, executive director for Narconon Scotland, said:
"Narconon has some volunteers who are Scientologists because
Scientologists like to help people. We also have volunteers who are
Christians, Jews and Muslims.
"Eighty per cent of Narconon staff are former addicts who have been
through the programme and now want to assist others. Our aim is get
people off drugs and make them part of the community again."
But she admitted some addicts treated under the Narconon programme
later converted to Scientology. She added: "If this was a programme
run by a Christian group and it had worked successfully, it would be
understandable that the person wanted to learn more about
Christianity. But there is no pressure involved."
Narconon, which claims to have helped 250,000 people overcome drug and
alcohol addictions, was formed in 1966 by William Benitez, a former
heroin addict, with the help of Hubbard, a science fiction writer.
Graeme Wilson, Say No to Drugs campaign manager for the Church of
Scientology UK, said the student union had been "misinformed"
about its ties with Narconon.
He added: "The link is Narconon uses the techniques of L Ron Hubbard,
but it's a secular organisation and not linked to any one religion."
A spokeswoman for Edinburgh University said the poster ban had not
been extended across all of its city campuses.
She added: "The university has received no requests from Narconon or
the Church of Scientology to put up posters. Each of our buildings
manages its own notice boards. If they did receive a request, it would
be considered like any other."
The name "Narconon"® is trademarked to the Scientology
organization through one of their many front groups. The name
"Scientology"® is also trademarked to the "Church"
of Scientology. Neither this web page, nor this web site, nor any of the
individuals mentioned herein assisting to educate the public about the
dangers of the Narconon scam are members of or representitives of the
Scientology organization.
If you or a loved one needs help -- real help -- there are
a number of rehabilitation programs you can contact. The real
Narcotics Anonymous organization
can get you in touch with real people who can help you.
Click [HERE] to visit Narcotivs
Anonymous's web site. Narcotics Anonymous's telephone number is
1 (818) 773-9999.
Return to The NarCONon exposure's main Index page.
ALAN MCEWEN
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