Prepared by Shelley L. Beckmann, Ph.D.
December, 1994

The Narconon Program vs. Traditional Treatment

The Narconon program addresses all aspects of addiction, with the result being that more than 60% of those graduating the Narconon program are drug-free two years later.

The Narconon program was originally set up for incarcerated populations.

The program has been delivered in a variety of institutional settings. Several means of monitoring the programs' effects have been used:

1) Parolees who had taken Narconon program courses at the California Dept. of Corrections, The California Institute for Women, the Arizona Correctional Authority and Riker's Island Institute for Men in New York were tracked.

On average, 73% of Narconon program clients released from prison remained clean while on parole.

2) Youth at the Youth Training School of the California Youth Authority had the opportunity to participate in a Narconon program. The behavior of youth at the facility was monitored by the number of infractions, the number of restrictions, and the grade being achieved in trade school.

Those youth who participated in the Narconon program showed positive changes in each of these measures compared to other youth at the same facility who did not participate.

In fact, the number of infractions and the number of restrictions of non-participants increased while the numbers for Narconon program clients decreased.

3) Narconon program clients at the State Reformatory for Men in Minnesota showed improvements in the number of rule infractions of which they were found guilty, of the days of lost privileges, and the days of segregation. These changes were evident during both program delivery and follow up time periods.

4) Parolees from the Delaware Correctional Center were tracked. 70% of the Narconon program clients had no arrest during the follow up period, compared to 36% of the control population.
Residential Programs:

Narconon programs have been delivering services to non-incarcerated populations since 1972.

1) In surveys of graduates from four facilities located in Connecticut, Boston, West Berlin and Sweden, employment was almost doubled, arrests were greatly reduced, and the vast majority (as much as 90%) reported that they were no longer using drugs.

2) In a study conducted in Spain, over 75% of graduates remained free of drugs. Whereas almost 90% had been actively involved with crime before the Narconon program, none were involved with crime afterwards.

The Narconon program is effective, both in reducing drug abuse and in improving the behavior of clients.

Introduction:

The Narconon organization is a public benefit, non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that is committed to the elimination of substance abuse.

Founded in 1966, Narconon centers have supplied drug rehabilitation treatment and education/prevention services for 28 years.

The Narconon approach is based on techniques developed by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard.

Each component of the Narconon program is designed to increase the abilities of the client.

The initial program included courses and drills designed to increase the client's communication skills, study skills and orientation to the environment. Over the years the program has expanded to address additional needs of the substance abuser.

The Narconon program now includes drug-free withdrawal, detoxification, and specific courses designed to increase the client's communication skills, study skills, orientation to the environment, understanding of moral principles, and preparation for work.

The Narconon program was founded in Arizona State Prison and initially expanded predominately to other prison facilities.

In 1972, Narconon centers began delivering services to the public at its first residential facility in Los Angeles. There are currently 37 Narconon facilities worldwide.

The majority of these facilities provide drug rehabilitation services to the public in a residential setting.

Results of the Narconon® Program in the Prison Setting:

Several evaluations of the Narconon program have been conducted. Evaluations of Narconon programs being delivered to incarcerated populations have focused on objective measures of behavior, including the involvement of clients with the criminal justice system during and after parole.

Surveys of Narconon® Program Graduates:

Simple tabulations of the behavior of parolees were done in several institutions in the 1970's:

A) The California Dept. of Corrections reported on 19 inmates who had participated in the Narconon program while in prison. 17 had been paroled. 12 of these were reported as clean (70%). Of the five remaining, 2 were not found, 2 had been arrested and one was suspended due to cocaine use.

B) In a study conducted in Spain, over 75% of graduates remained free of drugs. Whereas almost 90% had been actively involved with crime before doing the Narconon program, none were involved with crime afterwards.

C) The California Institute for Women reported on 25 Narconon clients. 23 had been paroled. 18 of these were clean (78%). Of the remaining, 3 were parolees at large and 2 had been arrested.

D) The Arizona Correctional Authority reported on 76 Narconon clients who had been released from prison. 32 were found. 24 of these were clean (75%).

E) The Narconon organization's Executive Director compiled a report on Narconon clients at the Riker's Island Institute for Men in New York. Of the 81 clients who had started the voluntary course, 43 had completed the initial program. 21 of these had been paroled and 17 were contacted. 14 of these were clean (82% of those found, 67% of total parolees).

Overall, around 73% of the Narconon clients released from prison remained clean while on parole in these follow up surveys.