NBC Segment On Narconon Scandals

Tonight at 10 pm (EST), NBC’s Rock Center will show an investigative report on Narconon, a treatment program that has been at the center of several recent scandals. Brian Williams hosts and segments are rebroadcast throught their website.

Narconon Trois-Rivieres in Quebec had its charitable status revoked in February after a year-long investigation by the Canada Revenue Agency. The ruling used the following strong language:

“Narconon is operated as a commercial business venture, with huge sums ending up in Scientology bank accounts. These files confirm to the Charities Commission that Narconon does NOT benefit the community in a way the law regards as charitable.”

In the US, Narconon Arrowhead in Oklahoma, described by the organization as “the premiere drug rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma,” had certifications revoked. According to The Underground Bunker, the National Association of Forensic Counselors suspended Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor credentials for employees at the facility as well as those at another facility in Georgia. Narconon Arrowhead has also been the subject of several lawsuits alleging patient maltreatment.

The allegations of improper care, overbilling and mismanagement have not been firmly established, and Brian Williams will be interviewing the former head of the Arrowhead facility to get their side of the story. But it certainly doesn’t show addiction treatment in the best light.

As with other debilitating medical conditions, addicts are at the mercy of those medical professionals who care for them. The public, insurers and the addicts themselves have the right to demand high-quality, safe care – especially since the price of inpatient treatment at a rehab center can reach thousands of dollars.

In the case of Narconon, the links to the Church of Scientology are also being questioned. At issue is whether Narconon represents an outreach of a faith community or a cash cow used to fund the church.