From: sdb@ssr.com (Scott Ballantyne)
Subject: Narconon Chilocco in Oklahoma
Followup-To: alt.religion.scientology
Organization: ScotSoft Research
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 20:33:31 GMT

As some of you may know, the Scientology front-group Narconon Chilocco
requested certification for a 75 bed residential drug and alcohol
treatment facility in Oklahoma over a year ago.  In order for the
Oklahoma State Board of Mental Health to grant this application, it
must be shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the Narconon
program is safe and effective. In persuance of this objective, the
board heard testimony on October 18, 1991 and December 13, 1991 on the
application, including witness testimony and exhibits presented as
evidence.  As a result of this testimony, the board denied the
certification of the Narconon therapy as a valid drug treatment
modality, and ordinarily that would be the end of it.  Narconon has
appealed, and there also seems to be a loophole in the Oklahoma law
that has allowed Narconon to press the case further.  The woman I
spoke with at the Oklahoma Board of Mental Health told me that while
no new evidence has been presented by Narconon to change the opinion
of the Board, it is quite possible that Narconon Chilocco will receive
certification after all, simply because the State Board of Mental
Health doesn't have the budget to pay the legal costs for a second
hearing!

The excerpts that follow are from the document 'Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law on the Narconon Chilocco Application for
Certification' obtained from the Oklahoma State Board of Mental
Health.

Regards,
sdb

DOCUMENT FOLLOWS
-============================================================================-
			  Conclusions of Law
			  ------------------
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. 1991, ss 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 [sic], 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 symptions [sic] 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
statue.

No scientifically well-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.

			   Findings of Fact
			   ----------------
[This is a huge document, filled with a fact per page in no particular
order. I have attempted to organize the findings into some semblance
of topic, and provided the headings and other organization. The
wording is that found in the original. sdb]

IMPACT OF THE RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION OF PARTICIPANTS ON BOARD
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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 terms "patient", "student" and "client" are used interchangeably
in these Findings.


ALL DRUG ADDICTIONS ARE TREATED WITH THE SAME THERAPY
-----------------------------------------------------
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.

SAUNAS ARE NOT A VIABLE METHOD FOR DETOX AND DANGERS OF SAME.
------------------------------------------------------------
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.

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
and cardiac arrhythmia.

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.

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.

The relationship between drug abuse and psychiatric disorder is well
established. Most drug abusers who enter residential drug treatment
facilities have high levels of anxiety, depression, hostility or
apathy. Further, a chemical dependence 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.


ADMINISTRATION OF MEGADOSES OF VITAMINS AND DANGERS OF SAME
-----------------------------------------------------------
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.

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.

NARCONON PATIENTS DENIED FREE ACCESS TO INTIMATES
-------------------------------------------------
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.

TREATMENT OF NARCONON'S PATIENTS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
-----------------------------------------------------------
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 "destem". This practice
endangers the safety, health and/or the physical and mental well being
of Narconon's clients.

TREATMENT OF NARCONON'S PATIENTS WITH MEDICAL DISORDERS
-------------------------------------------------------
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 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 Narconon clients and is not in accord
with acceptable drug and alcohol care and treatment.

Narconon clients are routinely administered clonidine [Clonidine is an
antihypertensive with possible severe side effects. SDB] 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.


NARCONON's 'TOUCH ASSIST' COULD LEAD TO SEXUAL INVOLVEMENT BETWEEN PATIENTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Touch assist involves 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 assist 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 assist between male and
female patients who are recovering drug addicts or alcoholics in
private rooms renders the program unsafe in this respect.

QUALITY OF NARCONON's STAFF
---------------------------
Narconon employs 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 client's 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.

FOLLOWUP AND PATIENT EDUCATION - GOALS OF NARCONON PROGRAM
---------------------------------------------------------
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 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.

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.

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 addictions. The
Narconon treatment plan this 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 boni
fide drug treatment plan to be effective it is essential to have
individualized measured objectives which Narconon's treatment plan
lacks.

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 the areas of
drug and alcohol abuse. As such, Narconon's program lacks sufficient
instruction and education in the area of drug abuse and alcohol abuse.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE FOR NARCONON CLAIMS
---------------------------------------
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.

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.