Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) I used to run a message board called 'Scientology_Victims.com.' Dead now, but we had a section where people could tell their stories. The parents' stories were similar...their kid might get sick during the purif, or might diss LRH as you're doing. Regardless, the outcome was the same, individual would get taken to a cheap motel and dropped off with $10. Parents would get a phone call to come pick up their kid. Some parents were hundreds of miles away. This was mostly Stonehawk. The people who weren't kicked out and completed the program were pressured to work for Narconon as counsellors or staff. The line was, "We got you clean, you owe us," never mind that NN Stone Hawk got tens of thousands of dollars from their parents. It doesn't sound like you're exactly Narconon staff fodder. You clearly know too much about the cult to be useful to them. Heh. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As an aside, every Scientologist I've ever talked to on the street about Narconon has claimed that Narconon is not a recruitment tool of Scientology. And then, many of them have credited Narconon with getting them off drugs. "But, you're a Scientologist!" I would argue. At this point, they either change the subject or leave.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) I'd be interested in exposing their bullshit Form 990s and the game they play funneling money to CSI/ Narconon OK/ RTC. Can you recall total beds filled on avg in a month.. It would really be a good thing to compare what they report to the IRS and the state health dept as patients compared to actual. How many there a month, a week, came back after a month. How many there 12 months? I'm not sure how to compare numbers.. but total students and maybe avg bed occupancy. Also how many were outpatient. Avg stay length, did they stay a month, then go outpatient? Did the meds seem properly controlled (locked up) and administered by trained medical staff, or was it slightly loose? Any stories of excessive sauna time/ running / exercise / niacin treatments? Anyone try and escape? Flip the fuck out and be restrained or locked up? And stories of abuse by staff, sexual or even getting drugs from staff?
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) There is a program in Louisiana, which may handle oversight of substance abuse rehabilitation facilities. This can be a source for copies of other complaints filed against Narconon at Denham Springs. Those copies may be critical evidence to support a civil filing against Narconon (and would increase your chances of getting a quick refund). Try contacting this person Blanchard, Bill (225) 342-5988 He is listed online as the Program Manager for the Office for Addictive Disorders Their webpage is at Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) barb, I never saw the message board you mentioned. Do you still run Narconon Victims ?
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) Complaints listed at at the above website (text). You can refer to these for samples of language typically used in a civil filing. These sorts of complaints, when filed with county and state authorities, have in the past resulted in branches of Narconon being denied operating permits and have also helped shut some locations (Stonehawk in Michigan, Newport Beach California) down. Narconon Warner Springs 1 June 13, 2006 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, NORTH COUNTY DIVISION >IN053391 Plaintiff: MELINDA MARTIN Defendants: NARCONON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA dba NARCONON SAN DIEGO, dba NARCONON WARNER SPRINGS; and DOES 1 through 10 inclusive Complaint for 1. Recision based on Fraud; 2. Recision based on Negligent Misrepresentation 3. Recision based on Mistake; 4. Money Had and Received -------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL ALLEGATIONS 6. Plaintiff is informed and believes that Narconon is an organization conducting business as a narcotics abuse recovery program. Plaintiff is further informed and believes and thereon alleges that, Defendant is run by or associated with the Church of Scientology. 7. In or about February 2006, Plaintiff contacted Narconon by phone regarding the placement of her 25 year old son, Brian Martin, in Narconon's in-patient narcotics abuse recovery program. 8. At the time Plaintiff contacted Narconon, she believed that she was contacting the organization, "Narcotics Anonymous." At the time Plaintiff did not know that Narconon was run by or associated with the Church of Scientology. 9. Further, during her telephone conversations with a representative of the organization, it was never disclosed to Plaintiff that Narconon was affiliated with the Church of Scientology. 10. Plaintiff obtained Narconon's phone number during an internet search for "meth rehab" which directed her to Narconon's website. 11. The only reason Plaintiff contacted Narconon was that the name "Narconon" is deceptively siilar to "NarcAnon," which is the shortened name of Narcotics Anonymous. 12. During her initial conversation with Narconon's representative, Plaintiff was advised that the cost o the program would be $22,000.00 payable in advance. In order to initiate the process quickly, Plaintiff authorized payment of this amount to be made by her credit card. Prior to payment, Plaintiff was never provided a written contract or any other information regarding Narconon or its financial policies. 13. On February 12, 2006, Brian Martin entered Narconon's "program" in Newport Beach, California. Within three days, Brian Martin was transferred to Narconon's inpatient facility located in Warner Springs, San Diego County, California. 14. Shortly after his transfer to Warner Springs, Brian Martin contacted Plaintiff and advised her that he had learned that Narconon was not the organization "Narcotics Anonymous" but, rather, was run by the Church of Scientology, using a program developed by its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Brian advised Plaintiff that he was afraid and requested that she immediately pick him up and take him home. 15. After conducting research on both organizations, Plaintiff concluded that Narconon was not the organization she had thought it was. Particularly alarming was research she uncovered that Narconon was a "front" for Scientology and was using dangerous and ineffective drug treatment procedures. Plaintiff further discovered that Narconon used the program to recruit people to Scientology, preying on their already addictive personalities. Based on the information she obtained in her research, Plaintiff immediately drove to Narconon's Warner Springs facility and retrieved her son. 16. Plaintiff has made demands on narconon to return her money since Brian did not complete the program. Any benefit Brian Martin gained by his presence at Narconon's facility was negligible. Plaintiff further seeks the return of her money on the grounds that she mistakenly believed that Narconon was a different organization. 17. Despite her demands for the return of her money, at all times Narconon has refused to return any amount of money. FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION (Recision based on Fraud AS AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS 18. Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference the allegations of paragraphs 1-17 above as though set forth fully herein. 19. Defendant entered into an oral contract for the benefit of Plaintiff's son, a third-party beneficiary. 20. The terms of the oral contract provided that, in exchange for payment from Plaintiff in the amount of $22,000.00, Defendant would provide narcotics abuse recovery services. 21. Plaintiff seeks to rescind the contract between herself and Defendant since Defendant fraudulently concealed that Defendant is associated with the Church of Scientology and not associated with Narcotics Anonymous ("NarcAnon".) Plaintiff contends that Defendant, through its representative, intentionally failed to disclose that Narconon was associated with the Church of Scientology. 22. Plaintiff did not know that Defendant was associated with the Church of Scientology rather, she believed that it was an extension of the well known alcohol abuse program known as "Alcoholics Anonymous." 23. Plaintiff alleges that because of the confusing similarity of the names "Narconon" and "NarcAnon" that Defendant intended to deceive her by concealing and leading her to believe that the program was "Narcotics Anonymous." 24. Plaintiff contends that she reasonably relied on Defendants' deception and was subsequently harmed when she provided $22,000.00 to Defendant and placed her son in Defendant's care. 25. Defendant's concealment was a substantial factor in causing Plaintiff's harm. 26. Defendant's actions were intentional, oppressive and malicious and were done in conscious disregard of Plaintiff's rights. As a result, an award of exemplary damages is justified. SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION (Recision based on negligent Misrepresentation) AS AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS 27. Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 26 as though set forth fully herein. 28. Defendant entered into an oral contract for the benefit of Plaintiff's son, a third-party beneficiary. 29. The terms of the oral contract provided that, in exchange for payment from Plaintiff in the amount of $22,000.000, Defendant would provide narcotics abuse recovery services. 30. Plaintiff seeks to rescind the contract between herself and Defendant since Defendant negligently concealed that Defendant is associated with the Church of Scientology and not associated with Narcotics Anonymous ("NarcAnon".) Plaintiff contends that Defendant, through its representative, intentionally and negligently failed to disclose that Narconon was associated with the Church of Scientology. 31. Plaintiff did not know that Defendant was associated with the Church of Scientology rather, she believed that it was an extension of the well known alcohol abuse program known as "Alcoholics Anonymous." 32. Plaintiff alleges that because of the confusing similarity of the names "Narconon" and "NarcAnon," that Defendant negligently deceived her when it failed to advise her that the Narconon program was not the program known as "Narcotics Anonymous," but rather, a different program run by or associated with the Church of Scientology. 33. Plaintif contends that she reasonably relied on Defendant's negligent misrepresentation and was subsequently harmed when she provided $22,000.00 and placed her son in Defendant's care. 34. Defendant's negligence was a substantial factor in causing Plaintiff's harm. 35. Plaintiff requests that the Court rescind the oral contract between her and Defendant on the grounds that Defendant's misrepresentations, as described above, were negligent. THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION (Recision based on Mistake) AS AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS 36. Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 35 above as though set forth fully herein. 37. Plaintiff seeks recision of the contract alleged above since she entered into the contract with Defendant based on her mistaken belief that it was the narcotics recovery program known as "NarcAnon." 38. Plaintiff contends that Defendant knew that its name was confusingly deceptive and similar to the name of "NarcAnon" yet failed to take any steps to advise Plaintiff of the difference between the two organizations. 39. Plaintiff's mistake was not caused by her excessive carelessness and, had she known about her mistake, she would have never entered into the contract with Defendant, nor tendered any amount of money to Defendant. FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Money Had and Received) AS AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS 40. Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 39 above as though set forth fully herein. 41. On or about February 12, 2006, Defendant became indebted to Plaintiff in the sum of $22,000.00 for money had and received by Defendant for the use and benefit of Plaintiff's son, Brian Martin. 42. Plaintiff has repeatedly demanded that Defendant return the money received. The last demand was made in or about April, 2006. However Defendant has refused, and continues to refuse, to return the money. 43. No payment has been made by Defendant to Plaintiff and there is now owing the sum of $22,000.00, with interest on that amount at the rate of at least 10 percent per year, from February 12, 2006 to the present. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays judgment as follows: ON THE FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION 1. For general damages of $22.000; 2. For interest on the principal sum at the rate of at least 10 percent per year from February 12, 2006 to the present; 3. For costs of suit herein incurred; and 4. For such other and further relief as the court may deem proper. ON THE THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION 1. For repayment of the sum of $22.000.00; 2. For interest on the principal sum at the rate of at least 10 percent per year from February 12, 2006 to the present; 3. For costs of suit herein incurred; and, 4. For such other and further relief as the court may deem proper. ON THE FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION 1. For repayment of the sum of $22.000.00; 2. For interest on the principal sum at the rate of at least 10 percent per year from February 12, 2006 to the present; 3. For costs of suit herein incurred; and, 4. For such other and further relief as the court may deem proper. Dated June 13, 2006 Law offices of Gary D. Leasure, APC Attorneys At Law ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Narconon Warner Springs II: Plaintiff: Kevin Carter Defendant: Narconon Southern, business entity, form unknown, Gerry Marshall and Does 1 to 100 Kevin Carter alleges that Narconon Southern and Does 1 to 20 was the legal (proximate) cause of damages to Plaintif. By the following acts or ommissions to act, Defendant negligently caused the damage to Plaintiff on July 8, 2002 or after at Narconon facility at 17350 South Highway 79, Warner Springs CA (Description of reasons for liability) Plaintiff, KEVIN CARTER, at all times relevant, was an employee of Defendants. NARCONON SOUTHERN and DOES 1 to 20. On or after July 8, 2002, Plaintiff sustained injuries in the course and scope of her(sic) employment at 17350 South Highway 79, Warner Springs, because of dangerous working conditions on the premises and which caused him to injure himself. Defendants NARCONON SOUTHERN and DOES 1 to 20, failed to provide Workers' Compensation insurance coverage for Plaintiff and was not permissibly self-insured pursuant to the California Labor Code. Pursuant to Labor Code, Section 3700, et seq, including Labor Code section 3706, Plaintiff is permitted to maintain this civil action against the above mentioned Defendants, who were negligent in creating, permitting, failing to correct or warn of the dangerous work conditions causing Plaintiff's injuries and otherwise failed to maintain a safe workplace, all of which was a legal cause of Plaintiff's complained of injuries. Pursuant to the Labor Code, Plaintiff is also entitled to attorneys fees for the prosecution of this action. Plaintiff KEVIN CARTER sustained serious personal injuries at 17350 Highway 79, Warner Springs, as a result of dangerous conditions which caused Plaintiff to sustain significant back injuries, improper and dangerous methods of "drug abuse treatment" conducted at an unlicensed facility causing injury and other negligent acts on Plaintiff, who at the time was participating in one of defendant's "Ethics Cycles," where he was required to engage in heavy labor for long hours, without adequate assistance and tools, was denied assistance when requested and denied adequate medical attention. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Plaintiff KEVIN CARTER, at all tiems relevant, was an employee of defendants, NARCONON SOUTHERN and DOES 1 to 40, in the course and scope of her (sic) employment. Defendant GERRY MARSHALL, was a managing agent of Plaintiff's employer. On Memorial Day, May 27, 2002, Defendant GERRY MARSHALL, in the course and scope of his employment, and as a managing agent of Defendants NARCONON SOUTHERN and DOES 11 to 20, assaulted and battered Plaintiff, including pushing and throwing Plaintiff and other acts which placed Plaintiff in great fear of bodily harm and in fact, caused personal injury to Plaintiff. In addition, Defendant, NARCONON SOUTHERN and DOES 11 to 20, ratified the acts of Defendant GERRY MARSHALL, and other managing agents of said Defendants intentionally inflicted emotional distress by making him work extremely long hours, coercing and threatening Plaintiff, yelling, harassing and subjecting Plaintiff to humiliating and degrading mental, emotional and physical abuse. Plaintif alleges defendant was guilty of malice, oppression as defined in Civil Code section 3294, and plaintiff should recover, in addition to actual damages, damages to make an example of and to punish defendant. The facts supporting Plaintiff's claim are as follows: Plaintiff incorporates herein the allegations contained on Page 7. Defendants, GERRY MARSHALL, a managing agent of defendant NARCONON SOUTHERN, and DOES 11 to 20, and further alleges that the malicious and oppressive acts of defendants, and each of them, in pushing and throwing Plaintiff and other acts of mental, emotional and physical intimidation and harassment with the intent to vex, injur and annoy Plaintiff constituted oppression and malice as herein above set forth in detail. ------------------------------------------------------- Provide a brief statement of the case, including any damages... PLAINTIFF WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF AN ALTERCATION AS WELL AS A WORK INJURY TO HIS NECK AND BACK. PLAINTIFF FILED FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION, HOWEVER, DEFENDANT DID NOT CARRY WORKERS COMPENSATION SO HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER FROM HIS FILING. ADDITIONALLY PLAINTIFF WAS SEVERLY(sic) BEAT BY THE MANAGER AT THE FACILITY. (Narconon Warner Springs, San Diego) (Notes and update on this case) Witnesses to the beating(s) were Staff Ethics Officer Pat lucarelliz, Kathy Dion, Frank Riedel (spelling?), Quaid Gore, Daniel Klesh, Brian Hartman and Gerry Marshal himself. Plaintiff Carter stated in Interragatory, answer #62, that (as a result of the physical abuse he suffered at Narconon Warner Springs from incidents of 5/27/02 and 7/8/2002), that he had: "pain in left arm, shoulder, back spasms, cramping, depression, general discomfort, numbness in legs, can't sit for any length of time. Some days can't tie shoes. Mental agression, dependancy through my entire body. He also claimed a "lumbar epidurmal, need surgery on back." Plaintiff's attorney was Richard N. Bashara (CA Bar Association #97405) Narconon's attorney was Daniel C. Carlton. Narconon had the case dismissed on Nov 15, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Narconon Newport Beach Filed SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ORANGE CENTRAL JUSTICE CENTER APR 02 2007 Plaintiff: Ozelle M. Keil Defendant Narconon Southern California; Narconon, Narconon Newport Beach and Does 1 to 50 COMPLAINT-Personal Injury, Other Damages ACTION IS AN UNLIMITED CIVIL CASE (exceeds $25,000) ---------------------------------------------------------------- SHORT TITLE KEIL V. NARCONON et al. ----------------------------------------------------- Does 1 to 50 was the legal (proximate) cause of damages to Plaintiff. By the following acts or omissions to act, defendant negligently caused the damage to Plaintiff On October 4, 2006 at 1810 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach CA 92663 (description of reasons for liability): The defendants and each of them so negligently, carelessly and/or recklessly provided money to Plaintiff's son who was in Defendants' custody and care for intervention related services which is a breach of a duty of due care and violates all standards of care or industry standards enabling Plaintiff's son to leave Defendants' facility and program to return to the streets and drugs all to Plaintiff's damage in an amount to be proven at time of trial. ------------------------------------------------------------------ The essential terms of the agreement are as follows That Plaintiff would pay $25,000 (plus incidental expenses) to defendants for drug intervention related services for Plaintiff's son "Gabe." That defendant would not under any circumstances give money to Gabe as it was foreseeable that if the defendants gave money to Gabe he would leave the defendant's facility, "return to the streets" to a life of drugs, and Plaintiff would lose her investment of $25,000 (plus incidental expenses.) On or about October 4, 2006 defendant breached the agreement by the following acts By giving money to Plaintiff's son Gabe without Plaintiff's permission in complete contradiction to the agreed upon promises and protocol; whereupon Gabe took the money, left defendant's facility/program, bought a bus ticket to Colorado and returned to the streets and drugs. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Plaintiff suffered damages legally (proximately) caused by defendant's breach of the agreement as follows a) $25,000 contract payment to defendants cool.gif Incidental expenses related to defendants' intervention related services of approximately $3,297.00 Plaintiff is entitled to attorney fees by an agreement or a statute Interest of the date of defendants' breach, to wit: On or about October 4, 2006 CAUSE OF ACTION-Breach of Contract
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) "These facilities are all regulated by Department of Health and Hospitals - Health Standards, however they may not all be enrolled as a Medicaid and/or Medicare provider. " Health Standards Section - Medicaid (Health Services Financing) - Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals They never take medicaid. To many legal reqs they could never comply with.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) TomVorm Do you know the results of the complaints you mentioned?
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) The first case listed received their money back, the second didn't, and I don't know what came of the third.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) I noticed the discussion on filing complaints. I did some background checking on Riverbend and found that none of the counselors are licensed by the state of La as required. The licensing board had never heard of Narconon Riverbend! Also, when Narconon applied for their occupancy permit, they reported to the state that they were a 12 step program. The program they detailed is certainly not what is actually used. Despite this, there have been no complaints filed. I find it shocking. I do not think many in the area are aware that they have set up shop.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) they have plaques in the hallway in the main building being welcomed to LA by different state boards the state is aware of their presence health code people are around all the time
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) fire marshall or code inspectors visiting are alot different then the office of addictive disorders, who licences counselors, knowing about them. They had no clue. And the fact they lied to get their permit about their "program content" is interesting. I am surprised the local press hasn't jumped on it yet.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) Stay on it, fleur. There are Georgia anons who know a good deal about NN, so you might want to liaise with them too. See the Front Groups sub-forum here: Reaching For the Tipping Point
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) Absolutely! Like the signs they put up in orgs that say "IF YOU ARE ILL SEE A DOCTOR." Like the Creed, it's all for show. If anyone challenges the cult on their ill-informed medical advice involving vitamins and exercise, they can point at the sign and say, "See? We do too recommend doctors!" But, of course, they really don't.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) what is funny is that one of the framed plaques from some LA state board misspelled narconon NARCANON always thought that was funny update on the situation there: 4 people i were in the program with last time are back, one for his fifth, one for her 3rd, the other 2 have only been once and were back within just a few weeks of graduating. the ethics officers gf and part time sauna runner apparently hit him, blew up on cathy steiner and "blew" the head sauna staff member "blew" the medical officer, the guy who handed out meds (vitamins, lol), referred people to dr audi, etc left with her. so their head sauna person is gone, the ethics officers gf is gone, their medical liason officer is gone, and they have people who are total fuckups "regging" for them at the moment. i have a feeling their days are numbered.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) nice update! Little by little Davey your world is crumbling!
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) I hope these people contact the state and file complaints!!! Or the media and go public!
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) guys... fortunately no news is GOOD news for me at this point. what i mean is, i spent 7 HORRIBLE months of my life the people i went through the program with typically, when i hear about someone, its bad. as in OD'ing, strung out, jail, completely fucked off...etc the last i heard a minor girl (17, family spent over 40k on narCONon) was kicked out for leaving with 2 other girls in the middle of the night and copping pills in the hood in baton rouge....she is since okay. so far, no new news on staff. BESIDES, steiner is "in session" and she is never there. must be OT8 or something. travis anspach is the HEAD C/S (replacing cathy A who is also never around), he supervised objectives while i . jeff lukas is also reportedly never around (probably in session as well). the head ethics guy keith hales is in CA right now (where they are supposed to be sending people to be "trained") so jeff gordon (narconon oklahoma) is the head e/o. i went to narconon for my last time on august 1 2009. its june 11 now, so about 11 months i have not shot heroin. my success comes NOT from narconon, but from their "state of the art" (their websites claim) broken down ass "gym". im swole as a motherfucker and am now addicted to lifting weights and living good, no longer IV heroin and cocaine (FUCK THAT SHIT). i am sure narconon LA is packed to capacity (and beyond) and people will continue to lose money and get high because of it. this shit has GOT to stop. luckily i had a "cognition" about my drug use taking me to LOWS such as doing scientology boot camp for 7 months which is what cleaned me up. scientology has got to go. GOT TO. get em.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) Huh? You accidentally some words there, I think.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) Both Cathy Steiner and her husband Tom Steiner are long-time OT VIIIs. They used to run 7 Missions in California many years ago. Many years ago, Tom and Cathy turned the Hamburg Mission in Germany into into a Class V Org. Now they are in Louisiana, wonder why they moved? SMI (Scientology Missions International) consider Tom and Cathy as "Pioneer" Mission Holders. They started up and ran many Missions, and their Missions consistently ranked high in the Birthday Game (expansion of Orgs and Missions). Cathy is a total bitch. Tom is slightly more pleasant. Both are totally brainwashed true believers. Cathy wears the pants in the marriage. Be very careful, Cathy is hell on wheels to her enemies.
Re: Narconon Riverbend in Louisana (New Life Retreat) hawt also: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvSNtDQOk7U[/ame]
Thank you for dropping by. Your tale of woe sounds quite familiar to the WWP Members who are working on the Narconon Projects. Any further information you can supply to WWP will be received with gratitude.
I am concerned about family members who have fallen into this mess unfortunately. Couldn't convince my sister to not move there with her kids, and she did this all for the husband. I no this mess is an acult and she was taught better than that. The sadest part is she took her young son there. Please tell me is there a real school close by for the kids or is that all a lie and they only get that hubbard crap. Would appreciate anything you can tell me about that. Thanks.
This center is in my neck of the woods so started looking into it lightly (still a noob and have no idea what I am doing... just research stuff I can find on the internet) I can answer this question, "Why they are here". They address it on a link I read. Its the basic, "We are the saviors of the Katrina victims. Look how great we are helping those poor people..." Yeah we get a lot of those. Don't get me wrong there are some great charities and organizations in which without their help our city would not be as far on the recovery road as it is. We also get our fair share of scam charities using the Katrina Victims as a rally cry of sorts. I don't know for sure which group the Steiners are in but I can take a wild guess... After Hurricane Katrina tore through the area in 2005, founders Tom and Kathy Steiner were able to see firsthand how many displaced people were suffering from addiction withdrawals as well as trauma from the storm. Determined to provide more help, they opened the state’s first Narconon I would have to do a bit of research but I am pretty dog gone sure that Denham Springs was not destroyed by Katrina. I am sure there was some wind damage but I can promise you it didn't make it to CNN
That particular post you responded to was 3 or 4 years ago. Sorry I kind of dug up old post but I am trying my best to read and understand everything. However I don't live too far from this particular place. That was what caught my eye to this thread.
I spent 4and a half months there.Pissed,lied to so much anger.Can share what I know,but I know they are tricky.Any info on lawsuits would be appreciated
Our resident expert on Narconon matters is "Intelligence" (his nick). You might try sending him a private message.
What seems to be the trick is to have someone who was wronged at one of the facilities willing to take legal action. By now, the heap of documents on the little scam is high enough it is difficult for Narconon to play the "we are so not a cult" card.
This is what I got from the IRS database on NN LA. They are not part of the '93 NN Int Group Exemption, hence the '0000' GEN. They didn't get their 501(c)3 status until Nov 2007. The 'F22' in front of the DBA means they are a "Substance Abuse Treatment Facility". Or at least that's what they claimed on their Form 1023 to get the 501(c)3 status: 204122923 NARCONON LOUISIANA NEW LIFE RETREAT 35059 BEND RD DENHAM SPGS LA 70706-0655 0000 03 3 F22 NARCONON LOUISIANA So, other than whatever hooks the licensing agreement gives NN Int, they can legitimately claim to be independent from NN Int. Of couse we all know the reality is a bit different. BigBeard
Went to this fucked up place in 2011. I left before I gave Riverbend all the money requested, (approx 1 month) because of the blatant consumer fraud and continued spying, manipulating, controlling, brainwashing. This place prays on the weak, fragile, immature, naive, uneducated client (which, at my visit was the majority young kids that had barely been out in the world). Over half the enrollment were retreads. The "staff" will tell you themselves about being retread and/or transferred from other facility for using. Jeff Gordon is a sociopathic salesperson working for commission $$ and nobody on staff is qualified to counsel. What this camp calls staff are really users on furlow, that made it thru the program and can't make it outside because they weren't given the right tools AND this place brainwashes them into staying, and working for nothing ....... I left and went to St. Jude on east coast. Highly recommend.
