Grand
Opening Set This Weekend...
National Chilocco Alumni Association Unanimously Passes Resolution
And Position Statement Opposing Narconon
OKLA
CITY, 28 June 1990- The National Chilocco Alumni Association
unanimously approved a resolution on Saturday, June 9, strongly
opposing the establishment of Scientology's front organization
Narconon on the old Chilocco Indian Agricultural School just
north of Newkirk.
The
resolution, presented to the membership during the business meeting
at the annual Chilocco Reunion in Oklahoma City, was overwhelmingly
approved following about 30 minutes of discussion.
Copies of the resolution were to be forwarded to all of the members
of the Chilocco Development Authority, the chiefs or chairpersons
of each of the five tribes which own Chilocco Campus, and will
be distributed across the state for publication or broadcast.
The National Chilocco Alumni Association has members in nearly
every state in the union, and former Chilocco students represent
dozens of tribes from Alaska to Florida.
In addition to the resolution, the Chilocco Alumni Association
has issued a Position Statement which reads as follows:
"Chilocco Indian Agricultural School came into being by an
act of Congress, approved May 17, 1882, which appropriated $25,000
for the puropse of constructing a building. It opened its doors
in 1884; sadly, it lcosed its doors as an educational center for
Indian children in 1980... less than a century later. We use the
term educational center because Chilocco was more than a school;
it was:
A home for those who had none.
A family for those who had none.
Parents for those who had none. A teaching center for those with
a thirst to learn.
A training ground for those with a desire for new skills.
A discovery in the pride of being Indian.
The memories of thousand of students from five generations inhabit
the halls and grounds of Chilocco. These lives have touched others
from coast to coast, to Europe, to Southeas Asia, and all parts
of the globe. In more cases than our pleasant to remember, many
of our own never came home from those far-flung lands.
The lives of our graduates have inspired and influenced the course
of other lives because of the skills and direction discovered
at Chilocco. We have contributed to the fields of medicine, education,
business, law, trades and fine arts, and just about any other
profession which comes to mind. We are legion!
Chilocco, then, holds a very special place in the hearts of all
of us. It is home! As our home, it retains certain ideals which
we hold dear: dignity, respect, honesty, courage, and integrity.
When representatives of Narconon first spoke to us, they said
we were always welcome. Today, they require us to pay for the
privilege of walking those grounds which we made sacred.
When representatives of Narconon first spoke to us, they said
we were free to visit. Today, they restrict, under arms, those
grounds which we roamed in the freedom of a family.
When representatives of Narconon first spoke to us, they said
they worked to help cure those illnesses of alcohol and substance
abuse which afflict us. Today, they train their own in disciplines
which are foreign to everything the Indian holds dear.
When representatives of Narconon first spoke to us, they said
15 out of every 100 beds would be free for Indians. Today, they
have fewer than 100 beds, none of which are free.
When representatives of Narconon first spoke to us, they said
they had no connection to the Church of Scientology. Today, they
recruit freely on the campus of Chilocco.
In short, Narconon dishonors all Chiloccoans!
For the reasons specified above, we, the members of the Chilocco
National Alumni Association have passed the resolution which is
attached to this position statement. There are many other reasons
for the objection to the use of the Chilocco campus by Narconon,
but, we feel that those we have stated amply justify the position
we publicly take."
Resolution
"A Resolution Duly Adopted By The Chilocco National Alumni
Association Rejecting The Continued Use Of The Chilocco Campus
By Narconon
Whereas, Narconon representatives informed the Chilocco National
Alumni Association that the campus was to be used as a drug rehabilitation
center only; and
Whereas, Narconon misrepresented the use of the Chilocco campus,
as stated by John Duff (Tulsa, June '89), by developing a training
center for Scientology; and
Whereas, Narconon further misrepresented the use of the Chilocco
campus, as stated by Ms. E. Fulton (Tulsa, June '89), who proclaimed
that Narconon had no connection with the Church of Scientology;
and
Whereas, Narconon has begun an active recruiting campaign on the
Chilocco campus for the Church of Scientology
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved the Chilocco National Alumni Association
does not support the continued use of the Chilocco campus by Narconon;
and
Be It Further Resolved the Chilocco National Alumni Association
rejects in the strongest possible terms, the use by Narconon of
the name Chilocco for any purpose; and...
Be It Further Resolved the Chilocco Natioanl Alumni Association
urges the Board of the Chilocco Development Authority to consider
other, more appropriate ventures for the use of the Chilocco campus;
and...
Be It Finally Resolved the Chilocco National Alumni Association
requests the Chilocco Development Authority to require Narconon
to discontinue the use of the name Chilocco in further activities.
Certification
We, James R. McGirt, President, and Emily King Bunny, Secretary,
Chilocco National Alumni Association, do hereby certify that this
Resolution is a true and exact copy as approved by the membership
at the annual meeting held on June 9, 1990. There was a quorum
present and this Resolution was adopted unanimously with none
opposed and none abstaining."
Attached to the Position Statement and Resolution were the names
of the members of the National Chilocco Alumni Association Board
of Directors, and names of the presidents of each of the Regional
Chilocco Alumni chapters.
One of the members told the group she was from California and
her daughter had "gotten hooked up" with Scientology
out there. "I know what it's all about!" she told the
audience.
Another person related how she had stopped by Chilocco on the
way to the annual meeting. "They stopped us at the gate,
made us sign in, and tried to charge us $5 each for a tour!"
she said indignantly. "We couldn't go anywhere by oruselves..
we had to have a guide. I know that campus intimately. It's my
home! I know it better than any of those people. I sure don't
need a guided tour." Others told similar stories.
This Friday, Narconon has announced it will begin its three day
grand opening celebration at the Chilocco campus. But it will
apparently do so with no support from the Chilocco Alumni Association.
And little support from the leadership of the five tribes who
own the campus. According to one tribal chairperson, chairpersons
from three of the tribes have indicated they will not attend the
ceremony; another tribe is considering boycotting the event, and
only one tribal chair appears to be interested in attending the
$2,000.00 per person event. Instead, there will be a special meeting
of the members of the Chilocco Development Authority Friday, during
which the lease agreement with Narconon will be discussed.
In a June 23 story in the Tulsa World by Patti Weaver, the head
of the Chilocco Development Authority, Robert Chapman, is quoted
as saying he was not pleased with the terms of the lease. CDA
vice chairman Delbert A. Cole, who is also chairman of the Ponca
tribe, said in the same article that he considers the lease "a
bad business deal."
"Our attorney is researching the business lease to find out
if it is stated anywhere they (Narconon) must have state certification
before they can operate." Cole said.
Narconon and Scientology printed material indicates that Narconon
has been treating patients since about March at the Chilocco facility.
But State Mental Health Department spokesperson Rosemary Brown
said Narconon has not applied for state certification. Narconon's
certificate of need expires June 30, and Brown said it would be
impossible for them to obtain certification by that date since
the board does not meet until July 12.
"We want them to abide by state rules and regulations,"
Chapman said. "I expect them to be state certified like the
plans in the beginning.
Cole told the World he has been instructed by the Ponca tribal
council "not to have anything to do with Narconon."
"They sidestep the issues. We can't get a direct answer
from them" Cole said of his difficulty in getting information
from Narconon officials.
Narconon
Patient Says Center Treating Mostly Non-Indians
NEWKIRK
July 5, 1990- John Carraro is a bright, articulate, street smart
heroin junkie. Not at all what one would expect of a 12 year needle
veteran.
He's
33 years old and he tested positive for HIV virus 5 years ago.
He could develop AIDS symptoms at any time, but so far he has
been lucky.
John
Carraro is Italian, with a bit of German mixed in. He's from Long
Island, New York. He is not Indian.
He's been on a methadone maintenance program for the past year
and a half, but says he has occasionally laced his dose with cocaine.
He says he wanted to get off the daily methadone routine, and
a customer at his parent's record and book store suggested he
try Narconon.
That's how John Carraro came to be one of about 15 non-Indian
patients who he says were being treated at the unlicensed and
uncertified Narconon facility at Chilocco last week.
Carraro
says one of the 20 patients at Narconon was an Indian. Of the
rest, he says a few were from foreign countries - Australia,
for instance. The others were non-Indian Americans just like
him.
Carraro
was planning his get-away from Narconon the same day that an AP
report appeared in the Ponca City News and other state papers
quoting Narconon attorneys as saying only Indian patients were
being treated at the facility.
"They said the only knowledge that they had about it was
Indians at the time (being treated, ... They said they didn't
think the state had any licensing power over Indian activities
on Indian Lands." said District Attorney Joe Wideman, who's
comments were reported in a Daily Oklahoman story last Thursday.
Carraro, who says he told Narconon officials he was HIV positive,
became concerned when he found out there were no trained doctors
or nurses at Chilocco.
"They did take me to a doctor in Arkansas City for a physical,"
he said. "You know, the stethoscope on the chest, and we
talked about my hernia. They drew blood and did some of the blood
work in his office. But the HIV test they had to send off. I guess
I won't be around here long enough to find out the results, but
it doesn't matter. I've been tested before, and it always comes
out positive." Carraro said.
Carraro doesn't know how he contracted the HIV virus. "I
had some surgery and a blood transfusion just before they started
screening for HIV. But it could have been needles, or it could
have been some of the women I used to hang out with. You'd think
they would have somebody on the (Narconon) staff who would be
trained to deal with stuff like that. All they did was tell me
not to mention it to anyone."
Carraro, who said Scientology was never officially mentioned during
his short stay at Narconon, thumbed through copies of Hubbard
Communications Bulletins. HCOBs, as they are called, are instructions
written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard to his followers.
One of them is called Training and CCH Processes.
"Yeah, we did that," he said, referring to the training
drills.
"I did up to about (drill number) six. It was insane. That
stuff has nothing to do with drug treatment."
He says they told him the drills were supposed to improve his
ability to communicate.
They
gave him "Cal-Mag," a concoction of oil, vinegar,
calcium, and magnesium. "Only we called it 'Cal-Gag.'"
He started on two glasses of the stuff a day, then he said they
wanted him to increase it to four glasses a day. "All it
did was give me the runs," he said.
Cal-Mag
is described in an HCOB document called "The Purification
Rundown Replaces The Sweat Program," which bears a typed
signature reading "The Boards of Directors of the Churches
of Scientology", but says nothing about Narconon.
"Yeah,
that's it." Carraro said, looking at the document. "They
also gave us vitamin pills. They called them Drug Bombs. And they
do the sauna thing for 5 hours a day. I didn't get that far."
The vitamin and sauna regimen is also described in the Purification
HCOB.
The same document suggests that administrators of the program
"see that the person understands that the action is being
undertaken to help free him as a spirit and is not a medical treatment."
It also says they should make no promises.
Carraro told of being offered "touch assists", which
are Scientology "physical therapy" routines that are
said to relieve the pain and anxiety of an injury or other lamentable
experience.
"I
saw all that L. Ron Hubbard stuff when I first got there, and
I knew something was wrong," Carraro said Saturday morning.
"He used to do science fiction stories and started one
of those 'new age' religions or something. His picture is all
over the place out there."
Friday,
Carraro left Narconon by a back road. He took only a couple
of bottles of water, and one change of clothes in his backpack.
"They had these security guards with walkie-talkies chasing
me all around in a field. When they stopped me, they had their
clubs out and one of them said he had been told to handcuff
me and bring me back, if he had to."
"A
guy named Jeff, who is a staff member in training or something,
came by and told them to back off." Jeff tried to change
Carraro's mind, but finally dropped him off at EZ Mart in Newkirk.
John met some local people who put him up over night in the 77
Ranch Motel, and Saturday morning, he contacted the Herald Journal
with his story.
John Carraro is home in Long Island now, And his parents are relieved.
"The literature we asked for on Narconon didn't arrive until
the day after we put him on the plane. When I read 'L. Ron Hubbard',
my heart sank. I thought, 'what have I done to my boy'. If I'd
have known about that L. Ron Hubbard stuff before, I would have
never put him on the airplane." his mother said.
The
Carraros paid $6,000.00 in advance, with another $4,000.00 due
later for John's treatment at Chilocco. The money was in an envelope,
sealed inside John's luggage. The Carraros say they intend to
press for a refund, and the return of John's belongings.
Sounding
Off
Letters To The Editor - 19 July 1990
Dear
Newkirk Friends,
I
am writing you on my typewriter, but from my heart.
This letter of thanks is very important to me as it is a reminder
of the warmth and concern that was extended to me during a most
difficult time. I shall never be able to forget the immediate
response that was given to me unquestioningly and without hesitation.
From the "gang" down at the CharRon to Officer Stone,
an unwavering community effort seemed more than a little evident
in answering the alarm that I sounded, and which was evidently
on standby in all your hearts and minds.
But
the real aim and purpose of this note is to remind you of what
you are up against...
For
whatever is going on out at the "space camp", you
can be sure it is not of any God that we as Christians of any
denomination look to.
You
are a rare people in a time when most of the country is looking
for "magic" solutions to all their troubles, when half
the world seems to need a drug, or a drink, or an empty promise
to lean on, it is a pleasure and comfort to know there are people
who still know that a friend is really all the help that most
of us ever really needed.
So, thanks friends,
/s/ John J. Carraro
New York
By
Robert Welkos and Joel Sappel,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
Was Reprinted With Permission In Several Parts
During July and August 1990
State
Asks Court For Injunction
To Halt Narconon Operation At Chilocco
NEWKIRK
August 2, 1990- Kay County district Attorney Joseph A. Wideman,
Monday filed a petition seeking to enjoin Narconon International,
Inc., from operating an unlicensed and uncertified alcohol and
drug abuse treatment service at Chilocco. The application for
injunction names the State of Oklahoma Commissioner of Health
Joan K. Leavitt, M.D., and the Oklahoma State Department of
Health as plaintiffs, and Narconon International, Inc. as defendant.
Narconon's service agent of record was served with the appropriate
papers about noon Monday, Wideman said.
There
will be a hearing on the state's application for injunction before
the chief judge of the District Court, Neal Beekman, on Tuesday,
August 14th at 9 a.m. in Courtroom A at the Kay County Courthouse
in Newkirk.
The petition filed by the state says that Narconon is operating
an uncertified and unlicensed alcohol and drug abuse treatment
service in violation of Oklahoma law. It notes that while Narconon
is housed on Indian land, it is operated by non-Indians and is
providing services mainly to non-Indians.
Narconon, according to the petition filed Monday, is housing persons
in need of substance abuse treatment and is providing care and
receiving compensation without being licensed by the Oklahoma
State Department of Health or being certified by the Department
of Mental Health. The petition says Narconon has been in violation
of state law since February 1990 and continuing through the present.
The state's petition asks the court to "temporarily and permanently
enjoin the Defendant from operating an unlicensed alcohol and
drug abuse treatment service..." and asks that Narconon be
made responsible for attorney fees and court costs.
In an attached brief supporting its case, the state says that...
"The defendant (Narconon) has failed to become certified
and licensed by the proper regulatory bodies prior to its operation.
Therefore, injunctive relief should be granted."
"The integrity of legitimate treatment services are jeopardized
when unauthorized and unlicensed facilities are allowed to operate.
Injunctive relief is necessary, appropriate, and mandated by both
case law and statute.
The second major proposition of the supporting brief argues that
the state does have licensing and certification jurisdiction over
Narconon, even though it is on Indian land.
"The state courts have jurisdiction over the conduct of defendant,
a non-Indian entity engaging in activity on Indian Land due to
the state's strong interest in providing health care to its citizens
and its minimal impact on Indian self-government.
Wideman said Monday that there are four considerations that determine
whether the state maintains jurisdiction in such cases: First,
Federal law must not pre-empt state law in the matter at issue.
Second, state law must not infringe upon the rights of reservation
Indians to govern themselves. Third, the organization itself is
non-Indian owned and operated, and fourth, it is treating primarily
non-Indians.
Concludes the brief: "This Court has jurisdiction over this
cause since state action is not federally pre-empted and tribal
self-government is not burdened. Narconon is neither owned nor
operated by Indians. Their facility is primarily treating non-Indians.
Narconon has failed to become certified and licensed by the proper
regulatory bodies. Injunctive relief should be granted."
Narconon spokesman Bruce Pyle has been quoted in printed reports
as saying Monday that Narconon still intends to apply for state
certification and licensing. Narconon's Certificate of Need
expired June 20. Pyle would not comment on whether non-Indian
patients have been treated at the facility.
Harold's
Journal
Editorial Opinion By RWL - 09 August 1990
Today's
installment of the Scientology Story is the last in this series
researched and produced by the Los Angeles Times. Your knowledge
of this dangerous, destructive and sinister mind control cult
will protect you and your family from its attempts to expand
by feeding off of an unsuspecting society.
For
nearly two years now, Scientology and its recruiting front, Narconon,
have tried to gain acceptance in our area. They have attempted
every devious and deceptive practice one can imagine. They have
been caught in their own lies almost every time they have opened
their mouths.
Pseudo-medicine and psychobabble aside... the fact remains that
Narconon is operating an unlicensed and uncertified facility at
Chilocco, in violation of Oklahoma State Law. The State Health
Department has asked the District Court for an injunction to shut
the operation down. District Attorney Joe Wideman has filed the
paperwork, and next Tuesday at 9 am in Courtroom A at the Kay
County Courthouse in Newkirk, Judge Beekman will be asked to issue
that injunction.
You can be sure that Scientology will be well represented by duped
believers and slick lawyers, all bent on protecting their investment
in fraud and deception.
The Health Department deserves your support... and your silent
presence in the courtroom... next Tuesday morning, as they assert
their right to protect your health and welfare from such charlatans.
Sometimes government does work to your benefit. Give it a helping
hand Tuesday morning. Be there.
Harold's
Journal
Editorial Opinion By RWL - 16 August 1990
Shifting
Into Their 'Delay Game'
In
predictable fashion, Scientology's Narconon managed to avoid the
injunction hearing set for last Tuesday by asking for a "continuance".
They got the hearing delayed until September 7 at 2:30 pm because
their latest lawyer had a vacation scheduled for this week. Or
quickly scheduled one.
In the meantime, Narconon continues to operate an unlicensed and
uncertified facility. The date for the new hearing is September
7, incidentally, not September 2 which is a Sunday. The wrong
date was widely publicized earlier this week in other area papers.
But it makes little difference...
In
the meantime, Narconon continues to operate an unlicensed and
uncertified facility.
According
to District Attorney Joe Wideman, Narconon has until about August
30 to ask for "removal" to Federal Court.
In
the meantime, Narconon continues to operate an unlicensed and
uncertified facility.
That
would negate the September 7th day in District Court... and
a new date, probably in October, will have to be set for Federal
Court in Oklahoma City instead of Newkirk. So few of us will
be able to attend anyway.
In
the meantime, Narconon continues to operate an unlicensed and
uncertified facility.
In
October, Narconon will probably ask for a "continuance"
in Federal Court... and a new date will be set for November.
In
the meantime, Narconon continues to operate an unlicensed and
uncertified facility...
You
kinda get the picture?
It
has been written by the guru of psychobabble that his followers
are never to allow legal problems to interfere with the delivery
of "services". They recognize how easy that is to do.
We hope the court system also recognizes that fact, because...
In
the meantime, Narconon continues to operate an unlicensed and
uncertified facility.
Judge
Gives Narconon 30 Days To Comply With State Law
By
Michael McNutt
Enid Bureau, Daily Oklahoman
Reprinted 13 September 1990
A judge on Friday ordered the Oklahoma Department of Mental health
to determine by next month whether a substance abuse center operating
without state approval should be certified to remain open.
In the meantime, the Narconon Chilocco New Life Center will be
allowed to operate, but is prohibited from accepting new patients,
according to an order issued by District Judge Neal Beekman.
Thirty-five patients are at the facility, located on the grounds
of the old Chilocco Indian School, said Bill Burkett, an Oklahoma
City lawyer representing Narconon.
Friday's hearing, attended by more than 60 people, was held after
the state Department of Health sought a temporary injunction to
shut down the facility.
Beekman issued his order after both sides came to an agreement
during more than two hours of discussion in his chambers.
Rob Cole, a lawyer with the State Health Department, said officials
with the agency will have access to Narconon records to make sure
no additional patients are accepted until the facility wins state
certification and licensing.
"I don't envision them violating the court order," he
said. "Significant sanctions would be imposed if they violate
the court order."
Tim Bowles, a lawyer with Narconon's offices in Los Angeles, refused
to comment after the hearing.
But Burkett said he was confident Narconon could meet the mental
health department's certification requirements.
"We don' see any problems with that," he said. If Narconon
is turned down in its certification bid, "then it's a new
problem," he said.
The facility, operated by Narconon International, has been treating
patients since February without a license from the Department
of Health or certification from the Department of Mental Health.
Narconon originally contended the facility was exempt from state
law because it is on Indian land. But Narconon's agreement to
comply with Beekman's order seems to make that argument moot.
Narconon last month applied to have its program certified by the
Mental Health Department. An agency spokeswoman said then that
Narconon's program could not be inspected sooner than November
and that the State Mental Health Board would not act until January.
Beekman ordered the Mental Health Department to inspect Narconon
by the end of this month and have its staff make a recommendation
on certification at the board's October meeting.
Janie Hipp, an assistant state attorney general assigned to the
Mental Health Department, said the state agency can meet Beekman's
schedule.
Hipp said people wanting a public hearing would have to make a
written request to the Mental Health Department after the staff
recommendations are released but before the October board meeting.
Most of the people attending Friday's hearing said they were against
Narconon primarily because of its ties with the Church of Scientology,
which some consider a cult.
"I would like to see Narconon removed from Kay County, the
state of Oklahoma and the United States." said one man, who
like most other would speak only on terms of anonymity. "I
do not like the Church of Scientology."
If Narconon wins certification from the Mental Health Department,
it still must be licensed by the Health Department. (Reprinted
with permission from the Saturday Oklahoma, September 8, 1990)
Commissioners
Request Public Hearing
In Newkirk On Narconon Certification
NEWKIRK, Sept. 13, 1990 - The letters slipped quietly from one
commissioner to the next. Each read the words on the papers, and
signed them without comment or conversation. The letters were
to State Department of Mental Health officials, formally requesting
a copy of the department's evaluation and inspection team report
and recommendations regarding the certification of Narconon as
soon as the report is available.
The letters also formally ask for a public hearing in Newkirk
prior to the October board meeting of the Department of Mental
health "so that citizens will have the opportunity to voice
their opinion about Narconon."
The Mental Health Department will be sending a two person audit
team to evaluate and inspect the Narconon facility within the
next week or so, according to Mental Health Department spokesperson
Rosemary Brown. Neither person on the team will be medically qualified,
she said, but both will be experienced, qualified and educated
social workers. One holds a master's degree, she added.
Judge Neal Beekman last Friday ordered that the certification
process be expedited so that it may appear on the October agenda
of the Mental Health Board. Narconon applied for certification
on August 28th after the State health Department announced they
would seek an injunction to stop operation of the unlicensed and
uncertified facility, which began treating patients in February.
In order to apply for certification, Brown said it was necessary
to have a current Certificate of Need. Narconon's Certificate
of Need expired June 30, but Health Department spokesman Brent
VanMeter said Tuesday that Narconon had requested an extension
"prior to June 30th." Although Narconon's request for
an extension had not been granted as of Monday afternoon, VanMeter
said they were considering it a current certificate.
Judge Beekman's decision left open the option of a public hearing
on the matter should anyone wish to request one. The Newkirk
City Commission did just that Monday night.
Harold's
Journal
Editorial Opinion By RWL - 13 September 1990
The
State Health Department struck a temporary deal with the devil
last Friday afternoon. They agreed to allow the unlicensed and
uncertified Scientology organization known as Narconon to continue
in operation with its current 35 "patients."
But
there are some important details in the fine print.
For one thing, Narconon, by agreeing to the settlement, has accepted
the jurisdiction of the state, and will find it very difficult
to bring up the matter of Indian sovereignty again in the future.
For another, Narconon is now tied to a time frame of about 30
days in which to get it's act together. It's been trying for 18
months or longer and hasn't been able to, so there is little reason
to believe it will change its ways by the October meeting of the
Mental Health Board.
In the meantime, Narconon can not accept any new patients until
it complies with state law. Had the court issued an injunction,
chances are Narconon would have ignored it anyway until the appeals
processes had been exhausted. That could have taken years.
The State Mental Health Department will send a two person audit
team to Narconon this month to study their "treatment"
program and make recommendations to the Mental health Board, which
will decide whether or not to certify Narconon at it's October
meeting.
The evaluation team report will be a public document. you can
request a copy by writing Don Anderson, Chairman of the Department
of Mental health, P.O. Box 53277 Capitol Station, Oklahoma City,
OK 73152. They will send it as soon as it is available..
If necessary, once the evaluation report is complete - anyone
can call for a public hearing in Newkirk on the matter. The City
Commission already has.
If for some unimaginable reason the evaluation team is snowed
into recommending certification there will be a public hearing
called, and your comments will be attached to the report that
goes before the Mental Health Board.
Scientology has characterized members of the Mental health profession
as "barbarous criminals bent on creating insanity and madness
with their tools of torture."
On of Scientology's avowed goals is the worldwide replacement
of legitimate mental health care with the hocus-pocus of Dianetic
processing.
Scientology echoes the shallow thinking of their founder, who
made such obtuse and absurd pronouncements as "There is no
such thing as a fat cell," and "Niacin runs out radiation."
Statements, incidentally, which are indigenous to the Narconon
treatment program. Others, equally foolish, abound.
Scientologists quote with reverence this man who claimed to be
a nuclear physicist after taking and flunking one course in molecular
phenomena at George Washington University... this phony who's
doctorate degree came from a mail-order diploma mill.
It is difficult to believe that the Oklahoma Mental Health Board,
composed primarily of eminent mental health professionals with
legitimate credentials, could ever condone the operation of an
establishment like Narconon in our state... let alone certify
it as coming any where close to the professional standards they
are sworn to uphold.
It would be prudent, nevertheless for each of us to notify the
members of the Board of Mental health of our concern that they
be aware of the deep deception and doublespeak of which Scientology
is capable... that they inform and educate themselves about it's
history, methods, and purposes, before they make their decision.
If nothing else, send them this column. Their addresses follow:
Mrs. Dorothy Stanaslaus, Chairperson, 701 E. 11th Claremore,
OK 74017; Murray E. Abowitz, Esq., Box 1937, Oklahoma City,
OK 73101; Dr. Stewart R. Beasley, Ph.D. Box 1573, Edmond, OK
73083; Dr. Helen Randolph Carter, 1001 Dean Place, Oklahoma
City, OK 73117; Dr. John W. Drake, M.D., 31200 West Wilshire
Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73116; and Mr. LaVern Phillips, 2315
Downs Avenue, Woodward, OK 73801.
Harold's
Journal
Editorial Opinion By RWL - 20 September 1990
First,
sincere thanks to the many, many good folks of Newkirk, Kildare,
and surrounding area who donated the $1,300.00 it cost to have
our special section printed and inserted in the Ponca City news
a couple of weeks ago. From the people who received it, we have
heard nothing but praise for bringing it to their attention.
Your commitment to helping inform the rest of the people in our
County of the facts about Scientology and its front groups such
as Narconon is very gratifying. Credit for your individual gifts
will be made privately, because however much we would like to
acknowledge them publicly, it would not be prudent. But all you
have to do is simply look around you. It makes us very humble
to live in such a town, in spite of the time I spend on my soap
box.
Second, the latest Narconon snafu seems to have come from the
State Mental Health Department itself. Last Thursday, they dispatched
Bill Marion and Margaret Bradford to Chilocco to perform their
audit inspection of Narconon's operation.
Concurrently, the Mental Health Board was meeting in Vinita. Board
members were appraised of the court ruling at that meeting, and
they decided that the court had no jurisdiction to order them
to expedite the inspection, since they were not a party to the
court action. It was, they decided, a matter between the State
Health Department and Narconon. So they recalled their auditing
team in mid investigation. Narconon has to be loving that. The
Mental Health Board is now waiting for their legal counsel to
review the situation and tell them what the appropriate action
should be.
Judge Beekman said Monday he was unaware of the Mental Health
Board's action. District Attorney Joe Wideman was out of town
and unavailable for comment.
It sounds like a game of hot-potato catch to me.
In the meantime, it appears that the economic boom Narconon promised
our area is turning bust, as predicted. Narconon claims to have
spent gobs of money renovating Chilocco. But a lot of the folks
who did the work are wondering where their money is.
Empire Plumbing Supply is the first firm we know of to take legal
action. They're suing Narconon for $21,471.03 in plumbing supplies
for which they haven't been paid. It's case number C-90-220 at
the court house.
Monday morning, an air conditioning contractor in Arkansas City
called us saying he was near bankruptcy because he hasn't been
paid for labor or supplies used trying to get Narconon in shape
for their Grand Opening bash last June 30.
Monday afternoon, a sign painter in Arkansas City called saying
someone should warn the public about that "wonderful, caring
organization that's trying to help people" just north of
us a Chilocco. He hasn't been paid, either, he said.
An Arkansas City appliance dealer says he hasn't been paid for
renting an air conditioner and refrigerator to Narconon "for
Barbara Mandrell's" appearance during the Grand Opening 3
months ago. Narconon wanted to buy television sets and air conditioners
on credit, he added, saying he refused to go along with that economic
boom.
Another Ark City merchant, not affected by Narconon's credit buying
spree, says friends of his in the furniture business are wondering
when they'll get paid. A ceramic tile supplier is wondering the
same thing. So is the gas company. So are a bunch of motels in
the area, which housed all of those big shots brought in to witness
the GO Show.
Word is the Indian tribes haven't been paid for equipment they
have been renting to Narconon, either. Last Friday, tribal workmen
going through town said they were headed to Narconon to confiscate
the equipment and lock it up in the armory out there.
Barbara Mandrell reportedly took home over $60,000 for her 2 hour
performance. Quite a gold mine. The merchants who provided the
materials and performed the labor to get the Con-anon Show ready
got what was left.
The shaft.
Funny how they can find the money to pay for the smoke and mirror
show but can't find the money for the hardware behind it.
None of Newkirk's merchants seem to have been victimized by the
scam, however. And we'll take a little bit of the credit for that,
thank you.
Third, word from the hinterland indicates that Scientology intends
to continue the fraud. Propaganda circulating out West this week
suggests that people should donate $1,000.00 to $500,000.00 to
Narconon Chilocco for "Phase Two" which will bring the
facility up to 1,000 beds and 400 staff and "trainees"
by March 1991.
Never mind that they aren't licensed or certified. Never mind
that their Certificate of Need was limited to 75 beds, and that
it expired June 30th. Never mind the Court Order forbidding them
to accept new patients. Never mind that they haven't even paid
for the last batch of work and goods they ordered.
If you liked the economic benefits Narconon brought you with Phase
One, wait til you get a taste of Phase Two!
And finally, another little tidbit we uncovered this week, that
Narconon hasn't been making much noise about in this part of the
country:
The "Criminal Rehabilitation Branch of Narconon, International"
known as "Criminon" now claims to have programs established
in five Oklahoma penal facilities" Jack Brandon at McAlister,
Joseph Harp at Lexington, the Lexington Assessment and Reception
Center, the Oklahoma State Penitentiary at McAlister, and the
Oklahoma State Reformatory at Granite.
Who's paying for those?
New
City Fire Response Policy Excludes Chilocco Indian Lands
NEWKIRK
Sept. 27, 1990 - Fires starting on Indian Land will no longer
be extinguished by the Newkirk Fire Department.
City
Commissioners Monday evening voted to adopt that new policy,
and to inform each of the tribes who own land in the area, the
Chilocco Development Authority, and Narconon of their decision
by letter.
Land
covered by the policy includes the area of Chilocco leased by
Narconon, the area controlled by the CDA, and the adjacent lands
owned by the Cherokee, Ponca, Otoe, Pawnee, Kaw, and Tonkawa tribes.
The policy does not affect the Kaw Housing development east of
Newkirk.
The policy is not unlike that adopted previously which applies
to Corps of Engineers land near Kaw Lake. The Corps of Engineers
has a no pay policy, and has told the city to let fires on their
land burn. City Manager David Haynes said fighting fires on Indian
land is also a losing proposition. He cited an unpaid $1,400 bill
sent to Narconon for fighting a wild trash fire, and an outstanding
$300.00 bill for a fire run to Chilocco several years ago before
Narconon entered the picture.
The Fire Department will continue to respond to fires starting
outside of Indian land, and to fires that spread off of Indian
land and threaten non-Indian property. Privately, commissioners
and the city manager agreed that in the event of any life-threatening
danger, the department would be obligated to respond, no matter
where the fire was located or where it started. Letters from the
city attorney notifying the proper officials of the policy change
should already be in the mail.
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