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Alarm in prisons at Scientology (fictitious) drug cures aimed at inmates
Guardian Unlimited 15th November 2005
http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/story/0,8150,1642718,00.html
o Officials unable to stop advice sent to inmates
o Experts criticise sauna and vitamin therapies
Diane Taylor and Hugh Muir
The Prison Service has warned that activists linked to the Church of
Scientology are targeting offenders in British jails with unauthorised
anti-drug and education programmes. Narconon, the drug detox and rehab
programme developed by Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard, and Criminon,
his drugs education and rehab programme, are both being offered to
prisoners through correspondence courses. Though officials frown on the
programmes, they are unable to stop the practice because they cannot
justify tampering with inmates' mail in these circumstances.
Narconcon is also under fire for its drug treatment programmes within
the community. The group advocates that cocaine users detox by spending
five hours a day in saunas and ingesting large doses of vitamins to
cleanse the body of narcotics. But health experts and drug charities
have told the Guardian that there is no scientific basis for the
programme personally developed by Hubbard.
In an internal memo, Martin Lee, head of the Prison Service's drugs
strategy unit says Narconon has been making direct and indirect
contacts with prisoners. "An assessment by the drugs strategy unit of
the Narconon correspondence course, which I understand is offered to
prisoners, concluded that the course did not fulfil the requirements of
'what works' principles nor would it qualify as an accredited or
validated programme," he says.
He notes that Narconon offers courses free of charge but adds. "It is
important, however, to ensure that any proposed intervention, whether
free or not, is compatible with the existing treatment strategy and fit
for purpose."
The Prison Service has taken legal advice about the prospect of
intercepting inmates mail relating to Criminon but has been told those
powers only apply in situations which involving national security,
prevention of crime or the maintenance of discipline.
The separate controversy over the charity's detox programme relates to
treatments available at its base in St Leonard's on Sea in East Sussex
where residents pay =A315,000 for an average three to four month stay.
Literature for the controversial detox programme says drug residues can
remain in the system for years but can be expunged by treatments
combining exercise and vitamins with lengthy sessions in the sauna. The
organisation's US website says: "Exercise that produces circulation of
blood deep into the body followed by long periods of time spent in a
dry sauna at low heat, has produced amazing detox results. Even cocaine
users who had not used for many months have experienced beneficial
detox from cocaine while in the sauna."
But experts have told the Guardian that the programme does not bear
scrutiny. Release, the national drugs and legal advice charity said:
"We are not aware of any recognised scientific evidence base to support
the detoxification techniques described in the Narconon literature we
have seen."
Rosie Brocklehurst, chief executive of Addaction, said: "We have
concerns about the Narconon centre. We know that cocaine produces
strong psychological cravings, treating them in a sauna is ridiculous."
Narconon has also faced criticism for its attempts to work in schools.
Two education authorities, Trafford in Manchester and Tower Hamlets in
east London, confirmed to the Guardian that their schools have been
warned not to allow the charity access to classrooms.
Though popular with celebrities including John Travolta and his wife
Kelly Preston, Tom Cruise and Kirsty Alley, a Narconon patron,
Scientology has a controversial past. In 1984 at the high court Mr
Justice Latey said: "Scientology is both immoral and socially
obnoxious. It is corrupt, sinister and dangerous. It is corrupt because
it is based on lies and deceit."
At the St Leonard's centre, Narconon director Jim Mulligan insisted
that critics have an axe to grind. "If you are successful, you will get
knocked," he said.
He said the programme deserves and may seek NHS funding, adding: "I
wish the people criticising us would talk to our graduates."
Dominique Cook, a fellow director, said she had seen addicts
transformed.
A Criminon spokeswoman said they ran a number of courses. "None of them
have been inspected by the Prison Service," she said. "Next summer we
will have been delivering our courses into UK prisons for 10
consecutive years. We have helped thousands of inmates, according to
their own testimonials."
UNQUOTE
source: http://www.criminon.org.uk/accreditation2.htm
QUOTE
"The CRIMINON Programme
Criminon UK is now able to offer a unit 'Understanding and Overcoming
Addiction' based on the learning outcomes of the NOCN National
Qualification units 'Introduction to Drug Awareness' and 'Introduction
to Alcohol Awareness' at level 1.
Worth 2 credits, the Criminon unit is mapped to these two national
units and will contribute to a learners achievement towards a National
Qualification.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you are interested in finding
out more."
UNQUOTE
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.
Tuesday November 15, 2005
The Guardian
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