Bellmon Advised Against Signing Narconon
®
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Gov. Henry Bellmon is being advised not to get involved in a dispute
over a proposed drug treatment center in Newkirk, an aide says.
"It would be inappropriate for the governor to sign any document endorsing
a drug treatment center prior to completion of the Department of Mental
Health's review of the facility for certification," Andrew Tevington,
Bellmon's aide, said Wednesday.
A group of Native Americans asked Bellmon to sign a proclamation about drug
abuse that mentions the Narconon Chilocco New Life Treatment Center.
A few members of the group made speeches on the south steps of the Capitol
Wednesday, saying five Indian nations in Oklahoma have banded together to
address the problem of drug abuse.
But some critics feel the group is simply trying to promote the Narconon
center because the company wants to use 165 acres of the 96-year-old
Chilocco Indian School, which closed in 1980.
The Chilocco Development Authority has representatives from the Ponca, Kaw,
Pawnee, Otoe-Missouria and Tonkawa tribes. The authority leased Chilocco to
Narconon for 25 years in an arrangement that could bring in up to $16
million.
The Native American group's proclamation says the Indian nations were
showing their dedication to the war against drug abuse by helping establish
the Narconon center.
The Narconon proposal has generated opposition in Newkirk because of
Narconon's reported link to the Church of Scientology
®, which some
consider a religious cult.
Narconon plans to open a 75-bed center this fall, and buildings are being
renovated.
The Oklahoma Health Planning Commission approved Narconon's application in
January, granting the organization approval for an initial 75 beds.
Organizers said the Narconon center will draw on the group's six outpatient
clinics in the United States and Canada. Some beds will be available for
local drug abusers as well, officials said.
The state Department of Mental Health will assess the Narconon drug
treatment program when it is in place and rate it according to accepted
standards in the field, state officials said.
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 Narcotics
Anonymous's web site. Narcotics Anonymous's telephone number is
1 (818) 773-9999.
Return to The NarCONon exposure's main Index page.
Forward: For a systematic, detailed, professional exposure of
Scientology's "Narconon" front group, visit the
Narconon Exposed web site.
07 September 1989
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)
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