Hello everyone,
My name is alex and, unfortunately, my situation is an instant replay of so many of your experiences. I enrolled my son in Narconon, naively believing the advertised 76%-85% cure rate and the fact that there was no restriction on the time that one could spend in the facility. I paid $29,000. My son lasted 9 days as he was unable to adjust to such activities as talking/yelling at an ashtray for 2 hours per day or ridding himself of an intense sense of being watched. He has very high blood pressure (borderline stage II hypertension) and when he felt woozy, was experiencing an irregular heartbeat, excessive prespiration, and extreme anxiety and wanted to see qa doctor, his repeated requests were denied. Moreover, given his blood pressure of 180/120, sauna treatments were counterintuitive. After he left, I requested a prorated refund. Request denied. The accompanying letter was full of platitudes, reflecting Narconon's hope that my son would find the road to a drug free life and that Narconon's doors are always open to him.
Given this repeated littany, has anyone considered or found an attorney who would be willing to file an individual/class action law suit for 1) breach of contract, 2) fraudulent advertising, 3) practicing medicine/providing treatment without a license, etc. I think that these torts would be a logical start. Any thoughts? Experiences? Surely there are enough of us that we can raise sufficient noise to engender a reaction.
Thanks for listening and have a great day.
alex

Glad to see your post, Alex. I hope the information I emailed you will be of some help and as I stated, I will get back to you shortly. :)

As I mentioned in my email to you, I am here because I have been receiving correspondence about and from other Narconon victims who are having trouble getting refunds for a lack of service or fraudulent and false statements and advertising.

For others reading this:

Via the internet, I am collecting information on existing and past lawsuits against various Narconon facilities with the intention of compiling a list of of attorney contacts who are experienced in dealing with cases against Narconon. As well, I am compiling a list of links to state and county agencies that can receive civil complaints by victims who have sued or are being forced to sue to get a refund.

I believe the information is important for documenting what I believe is a federal issue, handleable through federal government agencies that deal with consumer fraud, advertising deception and fraud and the practice of medicine without proper licensing.

I also believe the Narconon detox- Purification Run Down programs are one and the same and that the church of scientology's claim that the Purification RD program is a 'spiritual' program which people donate money for, is not separate or distinct from the Narconon and NY Detox programs, which us the same trademark registered formula for supposidly 'cleansing' away the drug residue.

The Church of Scientology may imply that Narconon is separate from them, and visa versa. The church has been avoiding the responsibility to have an independent scientific examination of the program because they claim it's spiritual in nature, which is just not true. They cannot have it both ways.



Mary
xscilentologist

Glad to see some folks are finding this website a good place to collect and share info about Narconon and thier shotty practices.

I empathize with any parent who, in a moment of desperation, finds the Narconon program and their unfounded promises to be an attractive alternative to traditional treatments. I always salute parents and other loved ones that offer their support in these times of crisis.

Keep others posted as to your successes dealing with Narconon. The aim of this website is to be helpfull...

mr.mac

UPDATE:
Alex received a refund of his money and is now under a voluntarily signed gag agreement not to communicate about the problems he and his family had with Narconon on this matter.

This type of gag agreement is the usual procedure for Scientology and it's front groups like Narconon. You can read on this further at

Scientology Gag Agreements - A Conspiracy for Silence
http://www.lermanet.com/silence.htm

That site is in the process of being updated to include gag agreements from Narconon victims that will be posted here as well. Remember to bookmark that page.

Alex is like many others who have settled this way with Narconon. Forfeiting ones right to speak freely on the subject for a settlement is usually agreed to with some desperation because 1) the victim wants to get back to the business of getting themselves or their loved back in an appropriate long term rehab - properly and quickly; 2) It's a common objective to want the Narconon lawyers and the problems they cause, out of their life.

Alex was very persistent and made all the complaints and calls. Being a longtime civilian employee of the military probably helped and he may have had to hire a lawyer in the end to get the money - I didn't ask. I didn't ask because I was just glad he got the money.

I'm sorry for not updating the board sooner on Alex's situation.

Mary McConnell
http://free-from-scientology.blogspot.com

Thanks for the update xscientologist. I have mentioned before that my father had received a partial refund after my "departure" from Narconon in 2001. Like alex, he made sure to be extrememly persistent, sending certified letters and what not. It seems that when Narconon senses someone is willing to go to any length to get a refund, especially after a client received only minimal services, they will provide at least partial refunds. But I think as with most contracts, BE SURE TO READ BEFORE SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE!

***Please re-read the last sentence if you are about to admit your loved one to a Scientology front treatment center like Narconon. :D

Merry Cristmas everyone!

mr.mac :ph43r: