Narconon
®
intimidates critics into silence, 7 Apr 98
The Scientology
®
daughter organization Narconon continues with
its treatment program for drug addicts in spite of criticism of
its treatment methods. Now, the News can reveal that the
organization has intimidated highly placed civil servants into
silence.
"This is a fascistoid organization which takes advantage
of weak persons in society. It pretends that it is an idealistic
movement," says "Anders", a highly placed manager
within the Social Administration. He wants to be anonymous. (On
TV, his voice was distorted)
The News has, in previous programs, reported about Narconon's
criticised treatments for drug addicts where, amongst other
things, long sauna baths and high doses of vitamins are said to
force out everything from drugs to radiation from the body. Few
critics have been willing to come forward, and the News can now
reveal that highly placed civil servants who investigate Narconon
have been intimidated into silence.
"It is part of their methods, to create discomfort, and
intimidate civil servants. It is slander, nasty telephone calls,
questioning professional skills, newspaper articles, leaflets
that are spread, where they for example have told about me as a
person. That's why I do not want to tell you who I am," says
"Anders", a highly placed manager within the Social
Administration.
Narconon denies this.
A critical report ordered by the Social Board was finished in
December 1996. It said that the methods of Narconon shouldn't be
used in Swedish health care. At that time, officials from the
Scientology movement tried to get into the office of the doctor
responsible. Today, he dare not speak out.
"I can't understand at all what he means by that. It cannot
have been anyone from Narconon," says Thomas Lillhannus,
information secretary at Narconon.
The News visited the Social Board which had ordered the
report, and which gives directives to communes and the county
administrations. It was revealed that even the acting
(responsible) medical advisor Per Swartling had been visited and
watched by people from the Scientology movement.
"Yes, I'm on their list," says Per Swartling.
Within the Scientology movement, there is a so-called Justice
Manual. [the "HCO Manual of Justice"]. A handbook
which, in detail, describes step by step how to control
administrative officers and critics and, if so needed, also
threaten them into silence.
"Administrative officers must be able to feel that they
are free to tell how it really is, without being scared of
threats," says Barbro Westerholm, Member of Parliament.
Barbro Westerholm, who is on Parliament's social committee,
has herself been subjected to Scientology campaigns and she says
that the social board must act now.
"One ought to evaluate the treatment activity of
Narconon, and decide whether or not the organization should be
allowed to continue with its methods with taxpayers money. It is
the authorities' responsibility to take that decision," says
Barbro Westerholm.
But the social board does not understand the criticism.
"We have acted on our own initiative in this matter. But
in the last few years our interests have been focused on other
issues of higher priority than Narconon's activities. We have
been forced to prioritize other issues," says director
general Claes Örtendahl, defending the actions of the social
board.
But Barbro Westerholm is very critical:
"This is a serious threat to our democracy," she
says.
And she gets support from the civil servant within the social
administration, who has himself been subjected to harassment by
Narconon and Scientology.
"I think that these people are more dangerous than the
motorcycle gangs. They are more of a threat, since they look so
respectable in their suits," says "Anders", a
highly placed manager within the social administration.
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.
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.