Letter: Narconon Rehab is Simply Scientology

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:


Dear Editor,

Many New Jerseyans are in need of a treatment program, to help break free from the grasp of addiction to drugs like heroin/opiates or a drinking problem. Families have often sent loved ones to multiple programs in the hopes of sobriety. But let's not make a bad situation worse, and lose your money to a scam.

In an internet search for drug treatment programs, a group called "Narconon" will likely be a result. At times the group will operate treatment referral pages that mask their true operator. On their websites, they falsely claim 75% success rates. These rates are bogus.

Narconon is operated by the Church of Scientology, and bases their programs on brainwashing persons into the ideas of L. Ron Hubbard, and have attracted allegations of fraud, in addition to negligence when deaths have occurred in their sci-fi quack programs.

Narconon is not a medical program. It's staff have no bona fide medical qualifications. Sales staff are trained to manipulate the dynamics of a family in crisis, and are paid thousands of dollars per patient enrolled. Despite a similar name, Narconon has no links to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous whatsoever.

The answer to opiate addiction is Ibogaine therapy, not cult membership. Even New Jersey's overpriced cannabis has a better chance of helping someone get off hard drugs than Narconon's L. Ron Hubbard cult Kool Aid, while still saving you cash compared to "Narconon".

Communities, elected officials, schools, and even police departments should be on the lookout for Narconon and other Scientology front groups, seeking to recruit new members and sources of income for what the German government has deemed a corporate cult with fascist objectives. We should listen to the warnings of actress Leah Remini and if Scientology comes knocking, "Just Say No" and ask "How's Xenu?".

I urge the New Jersey Attorney General's Office and County Prosecutors to open criminal investigations into Narconon, for fraud and unlicensed practice of medicine.

Rev. Dr. Eric Hafner
Former Congressional Candidate
Toms River

There’s A Treatment For Heroin Addiction That Actually Works. Why Aren’t We Using It?

The Huffington Post has a really great feature article titled, "Dying To Be Free", that came about after a year long investigation into the heroin treatment industry. After reading it I think you'll agree, we're not doing enough to stop heroin addiction or the public health epidemic heroin has caused.

"...A heroin addict entering a rehab facility presents as severe a case as a would-be suicide entering a psych ward. The addiction involves genetic predisposition, corrupted brain chemistry, entrenched environmental factors and any number of potential mental-health disorders — it requires urgent medical intervention. According to the medical establishment, medication coupled with counseling is the most effective form of treatment for opioid addiction. Standard treatment in the United States, however, emphasizes willpower over chemistry..."

‎Suboxone‬ may not be a cure for ‪‎heroin addiction but it is the closest thing there is. Why aren't more addicts given access to it? The standard 12 step treatment methods employed by nearly all treatment centers don't work on their own and ignore decades of scientific research in the field of opiate addictions.

If there is someone in your life whether a family member or friend, take the time to read this article. It is fascinating and it will open your eyes to a better understanding of drug addiction.

Here is a list of doctors/treatment centers in NJ that prescribe Suboxone as a means of treating a patients addiction.