Narconon Champions National Prevention Week with a Parent’s Guide to a Safe Summer for Teens
- With a steady stream of intense drinking and drug-using movies being released before school vacations, Narconon offers parents a helping hand to keep teen and young adults safe from harm.
Just in time for the summer and the National Prevention Week sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Narconon has released the Safe Summer Guide for parents. This guide is being released as schools let out for the summer which traditionally means higher numbers of young people starting to abuse drugs or alcohol, as reported by SAMHSA.
The last few years, the number and intensity of movies featuring young people getting smashed and destroying property have escalated in intensity. Ironically, major drinking and drug use movies are often released just before Spring Break or summer vacation. Parents have their hands full trying to offset these and other media influences that portray drinking, drug use and destructive behavior as “fun.” But if they don’t do their best, they may be facing the injury, arrest or even death of their teenaged or young adult children.
In March 2012, the extreme-teen-party movie Project X hit theaters, and by April, copycat parties had sprung up in Texas, Missouri, California, Utah, Florida, and other states. In each case, there was extensive property damage, plenty of underage drinking, injuries and even one death.
“Parents may not know how to approach their teens on the subject of staying safe and sober,” stated Clark Carr, president of Narconon International. “The first thing they should know is to start early, before children reach their teens. By downloading our free Safe Summer Guide, they will have specific steps they can take to help protect their children from harm. The most important things they can do are to talk to their kids and to set their own good example.”
The Safe Summer Guide offers a step-by-step approach parents can use to make it very clear that they expect their teen to avoid drug or alcohol abuse. There are specific suggestions on how to prevent opportunities for substance abuse and harm and also how to show youth that fun does not have to include substance abuse. This free downloadable guide incorporates the advice of the Surgeon General and the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
“Young people can be influenced to drink, use drugs or take part in destruction because of peer pressure, movies, television shows and other media,” said Carr. “By countering these outside influences with love, concern and vigilance, parents save their children’s lives.”
Download the Safe Summer Guide Today.
Narconon is an international network of drug rehabilitation and prevention centers. For more information on Narconon, call 1-800-775-8750 or visit www.narconon.org.
Narconon Drug Prevention and Education Commended at LAPD Awards Lunch
After thirteen years of providing drug education services to Southern California youth, Narconon Drug Prevention and Education was singled out as the only civilian group to receive a commendation from the Mission Division of the Los Angeles Police Department.
At the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills on May 2, 2103, officers, sergeants, detectives and clerks from the Mission Division were awarded for their dedication, leadership and contributions to community safety. At the end of these awards, Commander Sharon Papa called up Sigal Adini and Tony Bylsma from this Narconon organization and thanked them for presenting drug education lectures to more than 400,000 youth over the years.
Commander Papa told the audience, “Substance abuse brings harm to every individual in every community whether they use drugs or not. Narconon staff have been effective and persistent in raising public awareness, understanding, and commitment to dealing with this serious problem”
In addition to offering drug education classes, Narconon Drug Prevention and Education has worked hard to show youth that they can have fun without using drugs or alcohol. In December 2012, the organization sponsored more than 100 runners in the Say No to Drugs race that took place on the back lot of Universal Studios.
Then in March 2013, eight runners were recruited, sponsored and trained for the LA Marathon. “These young people learned valuable lessons about setting a goal, practicing skills so they can achieve that goal and then seeing how good it feels when they win,” Adini said. “All our young marathon runners finished this 26 mile race – a huge accomplishment for them!”
A seventeen-year-old runner sponsored in this event described her achievement: “I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to run the marathon. I was nervous, but also excited. Having been given the privilege of running, thanks to Narconon, I trained to the best of my ability. A little more than halfway through, I began to feel soreness in my legs and experienced painful aches. However, since I was selected for this event, I reminded myself that not everyone has the same opportunity. I never thought of giving up. Not only did the marathon help me realize that I have self-discipline, but made me see that no matter the distance or obstacles, I can overcome any situation and accomplish my goal.” said Susana, seventeen years old.
After receiving the LAPD award, Adini stated Narconon Southern California Drug Prevention’s commitment to continue freeing children from the threat of substance abuse: “Over the years, we have seen clearly that when youth understand the dangers of substance abuse and also see that they can enjoy life without drugs or alcohol, they make the right choices. We will continue this work to help young people in our communities grow up strong, drug-free and successful.”
For more information on Narconon Drug Education and Prevention, call 888-800-8331.
Representatives from Narconon Centers All Over the World Converge on Narconon Arrowhead for Coordination and Inspiration
From the farthest corners of the world, executive directors and key staff from Narconon rehab centers arrived in Oklahoma for their annual Directors’ Conference on April 19, 2013. After two days of meetings in Oklahoma City, the group visited Narconon Arrowhead in Canadian, Oklahoma for further meetings and inspiration.
The group included visitors from South Africa, Australia, Russia, Italy and several other countries. On their arrival at Narconon Arrowhead, they were treated to a tour of this flagship property. Since its founding in 2001, Narconon Arrowhead has been the premier facility in the network, providing beds for as many as 200 people in recovery at any one time.
Executive Director Gary Smith gave the visitors an education in the marketing methods that have enabled this center to serve more than 10,000 people over the years. Ever since its opening, Narconon Arrowhead has also served as an international training center for those who want to open Narconon rehab centers in their part of the world. Each person who visits this facility is able to experience a working model for a successful Narconon center, and picture what they could grow their rehab center into.
Many drug education specialists have also come to Narconon Arrowhead to be trained in the drug education curriculum that was developed by Narconon drug prevention specialists. Around the world, this curriculum has been delivered to millions of young people.
After this tour, briefing and coordination meetings, these international representatives were better prepared to offer the Narconon life-saving rehabilitation technology to more individuals in need in their home areas.
For more information on Narconon please visit our website narconon.org or call 1-800-775-8750.
Narconon Newsletter April 2013
A special edition newsletter celebrating 47 years of saving lives. For nearly 5 decades Narconon staff have been helping addicts overcome their addiction as well as educating millions of school children around the world. Read stories from some of our staff, students who have achieved a drug-free life through the Narconon program.
Narconon Arrowhead’s Major Role in Saving Addicted Lives Over 47 Years
In 2013, the international network of Narconon drug rehabilitation facilities celebrated its 47th anniversary of fighting drug addiction. In Oklahoma, Narconon Arrowhead joined the celebration with a ceremony that included staff and students at the facility and a representative from the international management office.
In addition to the successes of the students that week, the group applauded for the tens of thousands of graduates that have been through the Narconon program since its founding in 1966. That was the year that Arizona State Prison inmate William “Willie” Benitez made the firm decision to help other addicts recover from their addictions they way he had. Willie had discovered the written works on the mind and life of L. Ron Hubbard and had applied them to himself to get his life straight at last.
It took many months and applications to prison officials before Willie was allowed to start the first inside-the-walls rehab program but he persisted and finally had more than a dozen inmates in his program. When many of them had the same success he did, he traveled to Los Angeles after his release and opened the first Narconon facility.
From that humble beginning, the Narconon network has expanded to more than three hundred centers and groups around the world. From Willie Benitez and his small group of inmates, the number of graduates from the program now exceeds 38,000.
As the flagship rehab facility of the network, Narconon Arrowhead has provided life-saving services to thousands of people from Oklahoma, Texas and all over the country. This makes it a major contributor to the international success of the network.
On Friday, March 8th, during the usual weekly celebration of student successes, staff and students took the time to reflect on the ways that Narconon has helped push back against the rising tide of addiction and the destruction that accompanies it. It might have been the first time that those in recovery realized that they were actually part of a movement that was much larger than themselves.
“We want to thank the executives and staff of Narconon Arrowhead for their two decades of contributions to our international success,” stated Clark Carr, president of Narconon International. “Not only do they save addicted lives, they also serve as a training facility and model for officials from all over the world who want to see this rehabilitation protocol in action. But our real reward comes from seeing someone who arrived at one of our centers totally addicted and unhealthy and see them leave strong and focused on a sober future. We will continue to offer this effective program as long as there are people who need the help.”
There are fifty Narconon rehabilitation centers located on six continents, and an additional seventy drug education and prevention groups. For more information on Narconon, please visit www.narconon.org or call 1-800-775-8750.
Twenty Years Later, Narconon Vista Bay Celebrates its Two Thousandth Graduate
As Narconon Vista Bay celebrated two thousand completions of its recovery program, community leaders were welcomed and acknowledged for their help.
Anyone in law enforcement knows the toll that substance abuse takes on a community. For twenty years and two thousands graduates of its rehab program, Narconon Vista Bay has been able to help reduce that toll. On Friday, March 1, Narconon Vista Bay in Watsonville, California invited in officials from their local community to help them celebrate this milestone.
Every Friday night at Narconon Vista Bay, there’s a graduation ceremony that announces the names of those who have completed steps of the recovery program and the overall program. Families of the final graduates are often present and sometimes add their comments about the occasion. When sons or daughters thank the parents who never gave up on them, or when mothers welcome their now-sober children back into their lives, these are always emotional moments. When a father who’s graduating says that this is the first time in twenty years he hasn’t wanted a drink and his children put their arms around him, this is the moment the Narconon staff live for.
For the March first graduation ceremony, two important individuals from the community were invited to join in. A Watsonville city councilwoman was there to present the two graduates of the night with certificates of recognition for their accomplishments. For the entire twenty years of Narconon Vista Bay’s operations, the councilwoman has worked with the center to cooperatively fight the local drug problem.
Also in attendance was a Sheriff’s Deputy from the County of Santa Cruz. Rigo Ubilius from Narconon Vista Bay presented the deputy with a plaque acknowledging him for work to keep the community safe from drugs and crime.
“Every day, our local law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect honest citizens from the effects of substance abuse,” said Mr. Ubilius. “We can’t thank them enough for their constant support and defense so we can continue our work.”
In Los Angeles, Clark Carr, the president of Narconon International, praised the work of Narconon Vista Bay. “It’s never an easy task to help addicted persons recover,” stated Mr. Carr. “But the rewards of saving their lives are enormous. When they return home sober, healing occurs for the former addict, for the family, for the entire community. We are exceptionally proud of the work of the Vista Bay staff ”
Description: Narconon Vista Bay celebrated twenty years of saving lives from drug addiction and two-thousand drug rehab graduates. Many parents and members attended to support the celebration. Awards were given out to show appreciation.
New Family Guide to Overcoming Drug Abuse and Addiction is Available from Narconon International
When families struggle for years with a loved one’s substance abuse problem, lives are in danger and the emotional and financial cost can be staggering. This new guide for families can help.
When loved ones become addicted to drugs or alcohol, some families spend years “hoping it will go away.” Other families provide endless financial and emotional support in the hope that this will bring back the person they used to know. Without effective rehabilitation to bring the addiction to an end, this pattern of substance abuse and resulting life problems can go on for a decade or more. To help families end this destructive pattern, Narconon International offers the Family Help Guide, Rescuing a Loved One from Substance Abuse and Addiction.
The way the guide can help is by walking a family through each of the points of understanding and decisions they need to come to a real resolution. What type of drug is being abused? How serious is it? Is it addiction or could drug education resolve matters? How can a rehab center be located? These questions and more are answered as a family works through the steps of this guide.
“Families struggle because they don’t know the signs of substance abuse and can’t identify which drug is being abused,” observed Clark Carr, President of Narconon International. “With this guide, more families will be able to grasp when drug rehab is the right solution. This can definitely save lives.” Mr. Carr referenced a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on what is called treatment lag. “According to SAMHSA, an average of nearly 16 years passes for most people between the time they start abusing an addictive substance and the time they start treatment,” he said. “Families who think they might be dealing with an addiction problem should use our guide to reduce the danger to their loved one.”
Statistics released by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and the National Institute on Drug Abuse revealed that nearly 104,000 Americans lose their lives each year due to alcohol abuse or drug overdose.
When more families understand how to approach the problem of substance abuse of a loved one, more of these lives can be saved. Download the Family Help Guide or call 1-800-775-8750 today.
Celebrating 47 Years Saving Lives
February 19, 2013
Narconon celebrates its forty-seventh anniversary of saving lives
As of this anniversary, more than 38,000 people have graduated drug-free from Narconon centers around the world. More than 15 million young people and adults have been educated on the dangers of substance abuse.
Narconon centers continue to be leaders in providing effective, drug-free rehabilitation for those addicted to drugs or alcohol all around the world. As each year goes by, the Narconon network continues to expand its reach and services so we can save even more lives.
Since 1966, Narconon has been returning hope to addicts who previously had no hope. It all started with Willie Benitez while he was inside the Arizona State Prison system. During his sixth prison sentence for drug offenses, Willie found the philosophical works of L. Ron Hubbard and realized that he could use them to rehabilitate himself and others from addiction. It took months for him to get the approval of the prison officials to start a inside-the-walls rehab program, but once this program was rolling, other addicts in the prison also started recovering from their addictions.
It wasn’t long before he was released from prison and established the first residential Narconon center in Los Angeles. The Narconon network has since grown to over 300 centers and groups worldwide.
Narconon Newsletter January 2013
Here is the latest Narconon Newsletter.
Check out what the Narconon centers around the world have been doing to help prevent drug abuse and get people off drugs throughout the holidays.
Holiday activities, expansion, new videos and more.
Narconon Newsletter December 2012
Featuring Narconon Arrowhead, Vista Bay, Georgia and Red Ribbon Week activities.
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