Pubdate: Wed, 16 Apr 2014
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Catherine Solyom

CENTRE VIOLATED PATIENT'S RIGHTS: RULING

'Dangerous Quasi Rehab'

Scientology-Linked Narconon Exploited Members: Human Rights
Commission

Four years after he left Narconon Trois-Rivieres, and two years after
the so-called drug-rehabilitation centre was shut down by the public
health agency, David Love has been vindicated by the Quebec Human
Rights Commission, which concluded the centre exploited and abused him
- - financially, physically and mentally - along with two other
complainants.

Love, who was first a patient then an employee at Narconon until he
realized it was closely linked to the Church of Scientology, said the
commission's recent decision was a "global win" against Narconon,
which continues to run drug rehabilitation centres in several
countries - putting patients' lives at risk.

"Some say I'm in it for the money, but it's not true - I want to help
the addicts," said Love, a native of B.C. who has stayed in Montreal
to fight Narconon, first before the Quebec Labour Tribunal, then
before the Human Rights Commission.

Both agencies mediated in his favour and against Narconon, an
organization vaunted by Scientologists like actors Kirstie Alley and
John Travolta.

"This isn't just about criticizing Narconon and Scientology," Love
said.

"It's about saving lives. Drug addiction is an epidemic and I want to
help addicts avoid the pitfalls of these pseudo treatment centres."

Love wouldn't disclose the amount the commission has proposed Narconon
pay Love and the two other plaintiffs, also former patients, in moral
and punitive damages. But he confirmed the total amount is in the "six
figures."

Michel Menard, a lawyer for Narconon Trois-Rivieres, said he couldn't
comment on the decision other than to say it was merely a
recommendation - and not binding.

Citing confidentiality, Patricia Poirier, a spokesperson for the
commission, said she couldn't comment, either. The commission is still
studying the case and has not yet decided whether to take the matter
further and present it before the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal, she
said.

Based on a three-year investigation of the facility in Trois-Rivieres,
the written document obtained by the Gazette says Narconon submitted
Love to "degrading and humiliating practices," "controversial teaching
methods not based on any scientific study," "poor living and food
conditions" and "coercion and forcible confinement."

Following the lead of the Supreme Court of Canada, the commission
categorized drug addiction as a disability, and concluded that Love
and others were discriminated against and financially exploited
because of their disability. Narconon patients - considered "students"
by the facility - were charged $23,000 for the treatment, which
typically lasted three to five months and included high doses of
vitamins such as niacin combined with four-to five-hour sessions in a
sauna - known as the "Purification Rundown."

Following the teachings of Scientology founder and science fiction
writer Ron L. Hubbard, patients were also deprived of any prescribed
medication for mental illness, and had to undergo personality and IQ
tests as well as training routines, which Love said were designed to
make them accept to be under someone else's control - and teach them
how to control others. Sitting in a restaurant near his workplace in
Montreal, Love said it is this mind control that has left him
suffering so many years later.

He is drug-free, but traumatized by his experience. Diagnosed with
post-traumatic stress disorder, he often has nightmares and can't sleep.

Sometimes he bursts into tears sitting at his desk at
work.

The decision feels good, he said, but it's not over.

Narconon Trois-Rivieres, which was told to pay the plaintiffs by March
21, has refused. It offered Love 20 per cent of the recommended
amount, but only if he signed a non-disclosure agreement that would
prevent him from speaking publicly about the case or his experience
with Narconon. He refused. "It's more important for me to get Narconon
exposed as one of the most dangerous, quasi rehab centres in the
world," said Love, who believes Narconon funnels millions of dollars
into the Church of Scientology. "Fourteen people have died inside
Narconon centres, how many have died outside?"

In the book he is writing about his experience, which he hopes to
publish with donations from the public - Roller Coaster Ride Out of
Hell - Love refers to several suicide attempts by patients, like one
at Narconon Trois-Rivieres who jumped from a second-storey window
after staff allegedly took away his anti-depressants.

When Narconon Trois-Rivieres was closed in April 2012, the head of the
Mauricie public health agency, Marc Lacour, said that at least four of
the centre's patients had been taken to a hospital in the previous few
months, but for reasons of patient confidentiality, the agency could
not provide details.

Narconon has since tried to open a new centre in Hockley, Ont., north
of Toronto, but has been refused the necessary zoning changes after
residents mounted a concerted campaign against it. It still operates
about 50 centres around the world, mostly in the United States and
Western Europe.

Calls for comment made Tuesday to the Montreal office of the Citizens
Commission on Human Rights, a "mental health watchdog" cofounded by
the Church of Scientology, were not returned.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D