Forward: For a systematic, detailed, professional exposure of
Scientology's "Narconon" front group, visit the
Narconon Exposed web site.
barb <bwarr1@cox.net>
This is an article I wrote for the online Manhattan Beach press.
http://www.manhattanbeachnews.com/
In June of 2004, the San Francisco Chronicle began to run
a series of articles which shocked parents of students
enrolled in the San Francisco Unified School District.
A Church of Scientology front group called 'Narconon' was
being allowed to present their unique drug and alcohol
educational program in public schools.
This program raised concerns that Narconon's program is
nothing more than Scientology in a different package.
Subsequent articles in the series outlined concerns that
the program was not scientifically based, and riddled
with inaccuracies.
Narconon was issued an ultimatum. Narconon representatives
were notified that they were to revise their program if
they wished to continue giving presentations in the SFUSD.
When state schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell heard about
the Narconon program, he ordered a probe to evaluate the content
and accuracy of their presentations. The evaluation was completed
in October of this year.
On October 2, 2004, the Chronicle article headline said,
"Church's drug program flunks S.F. test
Panel of experts finds Scientology's Narconon lectures outdated,
inaccurate"
The following report was a scathing criticism of Narconon's
program. Five independent experts in the drug abuse field
all found it to be unscientific, factually inaccurate, and
closely linked to Scientology beliefs.
Steve Heilig, Director of health and education for the
San Francisco Medical Society, recounted some of the team's
comments.
"One of our reviewers opined that 'this (curriculum) reads like a
high school science paper pieced together from the Internet, and
not very well at that,' " Heilig wrote Bascom. "Another wrote that
'my comments will be brief, as this proposal hardly merits detailed
analysis.'
Another stated, 'As a parent, I would not want my child to participate in
this kind of 'education.'"
As a result of this exposure, the Narconon Drug and Education program
was banned from San Francisco public schools. Los Angeles quickly
followed suit.
However, Narconon is always quick to jump on an opportunity, however
tragic, like the death of Mira Costa student Mike Hammond.
This 16 year old died of a drug overdose a couple of weeks ago.
In no time, Narconon "drug counselors" had moved in to take
advantage of the shock and grief present, offering a free
workshop to help students deal with the situation.
An online publication, reports that Mira Costa high school is
allowing Narconon to use its facilities for this event.
"A free workshop for parents will take place 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on
Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Mira Costa High School in Room 200. Certified chemical
dependency counselor Daphna Hernandez of the Narconon program will counsel
parents on how to identify and deal with possible drug habits of their
children. Teenagers are also welcomed."
This will be the same material dismissed by the California School
Superintendent as scientifically inaccurate and connected with the
Scientology religion.
Mira Costa high school authorities have not yet responded to emails
concerning this matter. It is possible that they are unaware of the
Narconon front group and the recent expulsion of the program from
California public schools.
Suggested web reading:
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.
Barb covers Mira Costa HS and Manhattan Beach online paper
13 Nov 2004
http://stop-narconon.org
http://narconon-exposed.org
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