State Mental Health Board
The State Board of Mental Health Friday denied certification for a
controversial drug and alcohol treatment center known as Narconon, and gave
the facility seven days to move out its patients.
The meeting was attended by 136 interested spectators, about 60 of them
from Newkirk. Almost no one attending actually heard what was going on
because of the lack of space in the meeting room. Most spectators stood or
sat patiently in the ante-rooms as the board heard testimony. Media
coverage was abundant, however.
The board's decision ended a lengthy effort by Narconon Chilocco New Life
Center to win certification for their treatment modalities, which were
formulated by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.
But another battle is brewing, as Narconon attorney Harry Woods, Jr.,
indicated at the meeting that he would appeal the board's decision in
Oklahoma County District Court.
Narconon's president, Gary Smith, said in television and newspaper
interviews following the decision that certification was denied because the
Mental health Department was putting their bias and prejudice into their
reports, which have twice recommended against certifying the facility.
The Oklahoma Board of Mental health and Substance Abuse Services voted 6-0
to deny certification for Narconon, which sought permission to operate a 75
bed facility north of Newkirk at the former Chilocco Indian School. Dr. Sue
Ellen Read abstained from voting because she did not attend an October
hearing when members listened to more than 12 hours of evidence before
delaying their decision again until last Friday.
Dr. Dwight Holden, who toured the facility a week ago today, said it lacked
a certified drug and alcohol abuse counselor and the staff had little
formal training in the field.
Dr. Stewart R. Beasley, Jr., asked that the 27 patients currently enrolled
at Chilocco be transferred to other facilities within seven days because
"the program is basically unsafe. Their well being is at risk." His motion
to that effect was approved by the board over the objection of Mr. Murray
Abowitz, who felt a longer period of time should be given for the transfer.
The program relies on a sauna and exercise program and until October was
advertised as being "drug-free".
But at the October hearing, Dr. Ray Stowers of Medford, who had been hired
in September by Narconon as their medical director, told the board that
drugs were administered during the detoxification part of the program.
Holden said Dr. Stowers efforts at making improvements at the facility were
noticed, but he said there were too many health concerns to certify it.
There "is a need to prove the safety and effectiveness" of such unorthodox
treatment programs, Holden said.
State Attorney General's office lawyer Guy Hurst said the state will ask
for dismissal of an Oklahoma County court order that allowed Narconon to
treat up to 40 patients while its certification was pending. State
officials will have authority to shut down the facility once the seven day
transfer period is over, Hurst said, even though the facility is on Indian
land, because it is a non-Indian operation. Tribal police could be asked to
intervene if jurisdictional problems arise, he added.
The Board refused a request by Woods to allow the facility to continue in
operation until the appeal process is exhausted. Hurst noted that such a
process could take several years if the matter goes before the Oklahoma
Supreme Court.
Board members made their decision after a 3 hour closed deliberative
session, following about 4 hours of testimony including that of two former
students who, among other things, said that the sauna temperatures were as
high as 200 degrees. One graduate of the program said he was told he could
drink "a few" beers after completing the program without problems. But, he
said, he went back to Narconon twice after going on drinking binges
following his graduation from the program. "I believed them," he said.
Reasons for denial of certification were listed in a document called
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, which was released following the
meeting by Hurst. Some of those findings are quoted as follows:
"In reviewing the application and determining the merits of the application
the Board on the October 18, 1991 and December 13, 1991 hearings heard
evidence and considered the issues of safety and effectiveness of the
treatment modality utilized by the Applicant.
Most drugs of abuse are removed from the body by detoxification and
excretion through the liver, kidneys, and the lungs. Although minute
quantities of some drugs may be found in sweat the amount represents a
small fraction of drug elimination.
The Narconon drug treatment modality treats all drug addictions the same.
No scientific evidence was produced to show that all drug addictions are
properly treated in the same manner.
The terms "patient," "student" and "client" are used interchangeably in
these Findings.
The Narconon Program exposes its patients to the risk of delayed withdrawal
phenomena such as seizures, delirium and/or hallucinations.
The Board has not considered any evidence of the beliefs or opinions of any
witness on matters of religion in making its findings of fact. To the
extent there may be some affiliation between Narconon and any religion such
affiliation has been totally disregarded by the Board. The Board has not
made its decision on certification based upon any consideration of religion
or religious affiliation.
The Board concludes that the Applicant, Narconon International, has the
burden of proving that its program meets all requirements for certification
and specifically the burden of proving its program is both safe and
effective. Narconon has not sustained its burden of proving its program is
either safe or effective. However, regardless of whether Narconon
International has the burden of proof the Board concludes there is
substantial credible evidence, as found by the Board, that the Narconon
Program is unsafe and ineffective.
The Narconon program requires its patients to sweat up to five hours per
day, seven days a week, for approximately thirty days. The rationale,
according to Narconon for the sweat-out is to rid the body of fat-stored
drugs and chemicals through sweat. However, there is no scientific basis
for the technique. Most drugs of abuse are removed from the body by
detoxification and excretion through the liver, kidneys and (in some
instances) through the lungs. Although minute quantities of some drugs may
be found in sweat, the amount represents such a small fraction of drug
elimination that no matter how much an individual sweated through exercise
or saunas, the clearance of most drugs of abuse would not be significantly
increased.
The Narconon program includes the administration of high doses of vitamins
and minerals to the Narconon patient as part of their treatment. The use of
high amounts of vitamins and minerals in the amounts described administered
by Narconon can be potentially dangerous to the patients of Narconon
according to the more credible medical evidence.
The relationship between drug abuse and psychiatric disorders is well
established. Most drug abusers who enter residential drug treatment
facilities have high levels of anxiety, depression, hostility or apathy.
Further, a chemical dependency disorder may co-exist with - or be secondary
to - a specific psychiatric illness, such as schizophrenia or major
depression, which should be treated by established psychiatric procedures.
The Narconon program presents a potential risk to the patients of the
Narconon program that delayed withdrawal phenomena such as seizures,
delirium or hallucination that are occasionally seen several days after
cessation of drugs such as benzodiazepines may be misinterpreted by
Narconon's non-medical staff as the effect of mobilizing the drug from fat
during the sauna sweat-out procedure period. There is also a potential risk
that the reported re-experience of the abused drugs' effect during the
sauna sweat-out program may be the result of misinterpreted symptoms of
hyperthermia or electrolyte imbalance since vital signs and serum
electrolyte levels have not been consistently monitored during the
sweat-out procedures or when a student is reporting the phenomena.
The progress notes for the patients at Narconon do not consistently
evidence that vital signs are recorded every six hours in the
detoxification process; nor do the progress notes record fluid intake for
detoxification clients.
Discharge summaries of patients at Narconon were not routinely completed
within fifteen days of the patient's discharge.
The clinical records of patients at Narconon do not consistently reflect
the recording of vital signs every six hours for clients as required under
non-medical detoxification standards of the Department.
There is credible evidence by way of witness testimony and review of
Narconon charts which reflect that there were patients who had psychiatric
problems who were taken off of their previously prescribed psychiatric
medication who did not do well and subsequently developed psychiatric
problems. This evidence indicates a lack of safety and effectiveness in
connection with the program.
Clients of Narconon suffering from psychiatric illness, when taken off
their prescribed medications, did poorly in the Narconon program and were
placed in a segregated facility called "destim". This practice endangers
the safety, health and /or the physical and mental well being of Narconon's
clients.
Narconon's program lacks any acceptable degree of quality control of the
sauna temperatures and treatment. Such a lack of control endangers the
safety, health and/or the physical or mental well being of its clients.
Narconon hires former students to work at Narconon - Chilocco immediately
upon graduation and the former students work directly with the present
students. While former patients of drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics
can be employed in such clinics after graduation, the former patient's
recovery from his addiction should be established with more passage of time
to ensure sobriety and to avoid putting patients in contact with addicts
who are not fully recovered. This practice could negatively impact the
safety and effectiveness of the program.
Narconon does not maintain a sufficient level of follow-up of its students
after graduation, which impacts the effectiveness of the program allowing
for relapses and lack of recovery.
During an on-site visit in November 1991 a student was found with a
potentially dangerous low level of potassium which could lead to cramps,
(muscular, skeletal problems) and cardiac arrhythmia.
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 addiction. The Narconon treatment
plan thus has deficiencies which render it ineffective. The Narconon
treatment plan is general in nature, applies categorically to all students
and is not individualized. The treatment plan also lacks measurable
individualized objectives which the students should seek to achieve in the
program. For instance, the treatment plan sets a patient's objective as
follows: "To have a clear mind." This objective is essentially meaningless.
In order for a bonafide drug treatment plan to be effective it is essential
to have individualized measured objectives which Narconon's treatment plan
lacks.
Part of the Narconon treatment program involves touch assists between
patients. Touch assists involve massages between patients in rooms by
themselves. Narconon has both male and female patients who are involved in
the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This practice of touch assists
could likely lead to improper sexual contact between drug addicts or
alcoholics in the process of recovery. An accepted standard in such
programs is for the patients to keep their hands to themselves. The
practice of touch assists between male and female patients who are
recovering drug addicts or alcoholics in private rooms renders the program
unsafe in this respect.
The discharge planning is not adequate and commences only very shortly
prior to discharge. This lack of discharge planning renders Narconon's
program ineffective.
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.
Narconon employes staff inadequately educated and trained in the care and
treatment of drug and alcohol abuse clients. Such a practice endangers the
safety, health and/or the physical or mental well being of the clients of
Narconon.
Narconon permits clients under treatment for drug and alcohol abuse to
handle and provide medications to fellow Narconon clients, to supervise the
sauna treatment of fellow Narconon clients, and to supervise Narconon
clients with psychiatric disorders. Such practices endanger the client's
health and safety and are not in accord with acceptable drug and alcohol
treatment.
There is substantial medical literature which indicates that sauna therapy
may pose significant health risks to intravenous heroine addicts, which is
likely to be treated at Narconon, because such drug use may impair normal
physiological response and problems associated with high temperature saunas
which could be detected.
The Narconon Program includes running to stimulate circulation followed by
prescribed periods in a sauna for up to 5 hours at extremely high
temperatures (i.e. 135° to 200° F) and as such endangers the safety, health
and/or the physical or mental well being of its clients. Such a procedure
exposes the client to the health hazards of dehydration and heat injury.
This sauna regime also creates a risk of hyperthermia and electrolyte
imbalance.
Narconon restricts access by Narconon clients to their personal physicians,
family, attorneys, clergy and others by not permitting communications
except at limited and designated hours. such a practice may endanger the
physical or mental well being of Narconon's clients.
The Narconon program fails to provide adequate follow-up and treatment for
Narconon clients demonstrating abnormal lab tests and other medical
problems. Such failures endanger the safety, health and/or the physical or
mental well being of the Narconon clients and is not in accord with
acceptable drug and alcohol care and treatment.
There was no evidence that the Narconon staff inventoried and verified the
medications brought on to the campus by Narconon clients. such a failure
endangers the safety, health and/or the physical or mental well being of
Narconon's clients.
The Board recognizes that Narconon has in the past few weeks adopted many
new policies. The evidence did not disclose adherence to many if not all of
these policies. There was no measurable and identifiable compliance by
Narconon to its newly adopted policies in the areas of taking and
recordation of vital signs, drug and alcohol instructions to clients,
handling of medications, withdrawal and discharge procedures, lab testing,
procedures for emergency medical supplies and others.
Narconon clients are routinely administered clonidine. Narconon fails to
provide adequate supervision for clients prescribed this medication given
this drug's risks and potential for adverse consequences. Such failure to
adequately supervise endangers the safety, health and/or the physical or
mental well being of the Narconon clients.
The vast majority of Narconon's course materials in its drug and alcohol
abuse program are not designed to educate and/or treat clients in the area
of drug and alcohol abuse. In addition, there was only evidence of
occasional lectures to Narconon clients in areas of drug and alcohol abuse.
As such, Narconon's program lacks sufficient instruction and education in
the area of drug and alcohol abuse.
There is no credible scientific evidence that the Narconon program is
effective in the treatment of chemical dependency.
There is no credible scientific evidence that exercise speeds up the
detoxification process.
Large doses of niacin are administered to patients during the Narconon
program to rid the body of radiation. There is no credible scientific
evidence that niacin in any way gets radiation out of the patient's body.
Rather, the more credible medical evidence supports the existence of
potential medical risks to persons receiving high doses of niacin.
There is no credible evidence establishing the safety of the Narconon
program to its patients.
There is no credible evidence establishing the effectiveness of the
Narconon program to its patients.
Any finding of fact which should be included in the conclusion of law such
matters are included hereby by reference.
In order for the Application to be granted by the Board it must be shown by
a preponderance of the evidence that the program is safe and effective for
the non-medical residential treatment of alcohol and drug abuse.
The purpose of Mental health law in the State of Oklahoma is to provide
humane care and treatment of persons who require treatment for drugs or
alcohol abuse. Residents of the State of Oklahoma are entitled to medical
care and treatment in accordance with the highest standards accepted in
medical practice. 43A O.S. Supp. 1990, §1-102.
The Narconon Chilocco program does not conform to the principles of
traditional chemical dependency treatment. The Board's conclusion that the
Narconon Chilocco program is non-traditional does not form the basis, in
any respect, for the Board's decision on the Narconon application for
certification.
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, delirious, 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.
Drug treatment program offered by Narconon Chilocco is an experimental
treatment and not proven safe or effective and is not in accord with the
highest standards accepted in medical practice as required by statute.
No scientifically wee-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. The
Board determines that the Narconon Program is not effective in the
treatment of chemical dependency.
The Board concludes that the program offered by Narconon Chilocco is not
medically safe.
The Board has reviewed the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law
submitted by the Department and Narconon. Any proposed finding of fact
and/or conclusion of law inconsistent with those entered by the Board is
denied.
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.
Denies Narconon
®
Certification Bid
By Robert W. Lobsinger
19 December 1991
The views and opinions stated within this web page are those of the author
or authors which wrote them and may not reflect the views and opinions of
the ISP or account user which hosts the web page. The opinions may or may
not be those of the Chairman of The Skeptic Tank.