Finchley ADVERTISER Issue No:476 Thursday January 14, 1993 VFD Free to 85,706(January- June 1992) homes in Barnet and Finchley DISCO BOSS BANS GROUP IN CULT FEAR Exclusive Investigation by GRAEME ALLEN Charity is using the Scientology founder's anti-drugs programme The ADVERTISER can revel that anti-drugs charity which was to lecture in local schools and teens disco uses rehabilitation methods developed by the founder of the controversial Scientology cult. Registered charity Narconon has arranged to promote its anti- drug message and rehabilitation programme at a series of discos, some in this area for youngsters aged 13 to 1. Narconon uses techniques developed by the late L. Ron Hubbard- founder of the cult Scientology. Disco organizer, Martin Charlton of Club 13-18, has asked schools to publicize his discos. In return, he offered them a speaker from Narconon. Mr. Charlton, who was unaware of Narconon's link to the cult's founder, immediately banned the group from the discos after the ADVERTISER told him of its findings. Brewers Taylor Walker, whose pubs are hosting the discos, initially canceled the first event, due this Friday in Southgate. But they gave the go ahead after hearing Mr. Charlton had banned Narconon. Barnet council is now telling schools about the group, but says it is up to the individual headteachers whom they invite in. Other education authorities, including West Sussex County Council, have also warned schools about Narconon in the past. Narconon's executive director Shelia MacLean said: "We have no financial, political or any other kind of link with Scientology. Narconon and Scientology are not one and the same. All we are doing is getting people off drugs using techniques developed by L. Ron Hubbard." She then said: "It could be detrimental to yourself to publish this." SCIENTOLOGY LINK DENIED Graeme Wilson, spokesman for the Church of Scientology said: "Narconon is a separate organization who use the techniques of L. Ron Hubbard as we do, but we don't have an organizational link. "A lot of Narconon staff members are Scientologists and use our techniques but we are not the same," he said. *full story on pages 2 and 3 ADVERTISER SERIES, January 14th, 1993 Investigation by GRAEME ALLEN We present story of anti-drug group's links with cult founder FACTS BEHIND DRUG CHARITY Narconon has a large drug rehabilitation centre on the Chilocco Indian Reservation in Oklahoma, USA. The centre was exempted from state certification from the Oklahoma Board of Mental Health in August 1992. However, the board had earlier denied certification, ruling that "there is no credible scientific evidence the Narconon program is effective." Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's "Purification Rundown" is a central technique used in the program. It supposedly flushes the body of drug residues though massive and potentially damaging use of vitamins and five hours each day running and sweating in a sauna. The board also stated that Narconon clients at the centre were able to handle and provide medication to other clients; that staff employed by the centre were inadequately trained and educated in the field of drug and alcohol abuse, and no mental health professionals were employed by them. Narconon was started in 1966 by Arizona State Prison convict William Benitez, using rehabilitation methods developed by L. Ron Hubbard. Narconon says it is not part of the Church of Scientology. It says the taking of its Drug Education and Prevention Program into schools is the result of concern among thousands of parents. The group claims "over 100,000 surveys of participants worldwide of narconon's Truth About Drug Education program show that our presentation is a successful deterrent to drug abuse for youth". Narconon also quotes numerous testimonials to the result of its work, including letters from the office of the Governor of the State of California. The group claims the lectures it delivers in schools were written by the president of Narconon International John Duff. Ian Haworth of charity Cult Information Centre, which investigates cults said: "We've heard of Narconon trying to get into schools and have always sought to make education authorities aware of them." * If you have any experience of Narconon, call us on 081-449-5577. CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS THE SCIENTOLOGY GROUP Best selling science fiction writer L.Ron Hubbard founded the Church of Scientology in 1953. Ever since, he and his organization have been at the centre of controversy. In 1984 in the High Court, Mr. Justice Latey described Scientology as "corrupt, sinister and dangerous," and described the practices of the founder, his church and his helpers as " grimly reminiscent of the ranting and bullying of Hitler and his henchman". The judge made his comments when he ordered two young children to be taken from their Scientologist father and placed into the custody of their mother. The cult vehemently denies accusations of indoctrination and brainwashing, claiming it is a movement dedicated to the betterment of mankind. The Church of Scientology, whose UK base is in East Grinstead has thousands of famous people throughout the world who support or have supported its ideology, among them are top international starts Kristie Alley and Tom Cruise. (Photographs above of Top actress Kristie Alley and Top Gun star Tom Cruise) PARTY INVITATION IS CANCELED Club 13-18 boss Martin Charlton canceled Narconon's invitation to the disco minutes after the ADVERTISER told him that Narconon used techniques developed by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology. "I just can't believe this," he said. "We were looking for an anti-drug charity to take part and found their name in the Yellow Pages. "We're trying to organize an anti-drug thing for children. Narconon mentioned L. Ron Hubbard, but never told me of his links to Scientology. It's come out of the blue to me." The first disco is being held this Friday.