The Narconon Lesson: It’s Never Too Late

He had served many terms in prison for a variety of drug offenses, all the while trying to get the monkey off his back. Nothing seemed to work until he experienced an epiphany—create an in-prison drug program that can help not only himself but all the others there who are affected in some way by drug use! He had always been a voracious reader and, consequently, read and researched a broad spectrum of philosophies and programs whose aim is to rid a user of addictions. When he read a book by L. Ron Hubbard, he was convinced that an in-prison program based upon Hubbard’s self-help principles could work.

Benitez contacted Hubbard who supported the concept. Eventually Benitez was able to convince the Arizona prison warden to allow him to begin a pilot project. Although Hubbard had earlier founded the controversial Church of Scientology, Narconon insists that it is an independent, secular program which “provides legitimate drug education and rehabilitation,” even though Scientology donations have and continue to provide monies to purchase and develop materials for program preparation and instruction.

What is especially astonishing about Mr. Benitez was his unwavering commitment to the project he had begun. When he learned he had been tried under the wrong statute, he had the opportunity to have his sentence reduced to time served. However, because he was truly a reformed, selfless human being and committed to the further development of Narconon, he asked that his sentence be reduced long enough so that he would have the time to implement his drug program sufficiently so that it could move ahead without his in-prison oversight.

For the rest of his life, he lived in California or Arizona, developing and expanding the program. Until his untimely death in 1999, he served as an Inmate Liaison for Arizona’s Department of Corrections and as a Hearing Officer to help resolve inmate complaints.

Today, Narconon has locations world-wide: Europe, Africa, the Middle East (including Israel), Asia and Australia, and, of course, America.

Strong advocates of this program abound while equally tough opponents continue to attack it as being too closely aligned with Scientology. From what I have seen, Narconon’s work is purely secular and an independent voice in the anti-drug advocacy world. Just my humble opinion.

Be that as it may, I would like to share with you some of the successes of this program in the Los Angeles community and allow you to decide for yourselves whether you prefer to color your interpretation of Narconon by the Scientology connection or see it more as a separate entity.

As administered, there is no religious influence incorporated into this program. In fact, one of the leading officials in LA Narconon is an Israeli-born Jewess who assures me that Narconon is a secular non-profit.

Drug use is prevalent in every community here and abroad--regardless of income, race, ethnicity, religion, gender. It is essential that we keep children from drugs in the first place [consider the long-standing DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program, founded in 1983, that is currently utilized in most public schools worldwide]. Efforts to keep offenders out of jail, to rehabilitate, and to promote recovery would be a moot point if we can prevent children from giving in to drug temptation in the first place.

Incidentally, it would be ill-advised to overlook how personal, victimless drug use has been so criminalized that the majority of inmates in our system are there because of possession of small amounts of drugs and their paraphernalia and for personal drug use—not for selling or for violent, drug-related crimes.

Even more is the fact that the preponderance of such prisoners (having been unable to afford effective defense attorneys) are Black or brown and poor. Sitting in prison with hardened criminals hardens them as well and makes it more likely that they will remain in a criminal world upon release.

Our current laws make the re-entry process so challenging that many of the formerly incarcerated cannot obtain legitimate jobs and are virtually forced to turn to crime to support themselves and their families.

You have heard me speak of that issue before, and I shall return to it again at another time, but now let’s return to the discussion of Narconon.

I am most particularly impressed with its youth programs. Under the supervision and coordination in Los Angeles by Ms. Sigal Adini (Executive Director of Narconon Drug Prevention and Education), there are two projects that really stand out:

For years she has helped coordinate the ever-growing and increasingly popular “Say No to Drugs Race Holiday Classic”—last year held on the backlot of Universal Studios. Almost 1500 runners in nearly freezing temperatures participated in the 5K and 10K courses. The message: “Life Is Better without Drugs.” Team Narconon made up a fourth of the runners (as young as 6 years old), coming from 50 Southern California cities, such as Arleta, Burbank, Los Angeles, Pacoima, Sylmar, Van Nuys, and West Hollywood. Six high schools sent racers. Young people from LAPD volunteer groups, the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, and other organizations also ran. At least sixty community businesses and individuals sponsored the event which clearly attracts and inspires the wider community.

The anti-drug message, in the end, is reinforced in so many ways. The youthful contenders see parents, friends, and community members enthusiastically come out to support them. Runners come away feeling that people really care about them. Recognizing just how important the program is to their own supporters inspires them even more to be drug-free and to encourage others to be so as well.

Narconon meets with young people throughout the year to educate them about the ravages of drug addiction. They learn how to resist use and avoid temptation, how to stay away from those who would entangle them in the drug underworld.

Adini has also concentrated on the very young in another way. She developed the concept of a coloring book for little ones which introduces with simplicity the message of being drug-free. Eight high school students (whose photos and brief bios are on the back cover) drew all the illustrations. They hail from the cities of San Fernando, Sylmar, Glendora, and Reseda and, as such, are also able to spread the anti-drug message to their classmates and friends in their own communities.

The little book, “Make Your Goals Come True—Say No to Drugs! Say Yes to life!” is free to all and is not only available at schools but also at the offices of many of our local electeds—from Congressmembers to State legislators to City councilmembers.

The book talks about goals and the way to achieve them. It spreads the word about healthy bodies and alert minds. It encourages participation in new and different activities—broadening horizons. It communicates the anti-drug message. It teaches how young people can apply all the strategies they have been presented with a way to make the promise of a clean, bright, enlightened life not just a dream but a plausible reality.

Yes, Narconon has its detractors. For me, I am excited about the results I have seen. No brain-washing here—just the lessons that can make a drug-free future a reality by offering the tools to get there.

William Benitez has taught us some very valuable lessons. It is never too late to turn your life around. If given the opportunity, you can make a real difference. You can accomplish your goals if you are provided the means, methodologies, and support.

Thank you, Willie, for Narconon and your brave and dedicated life. Your personal commitment has changed the lives of countless beneficiaries and your program has made all of us look at the pernicious drug crisis in a more hopeful way.

● For more information, contact Narconon as follows: 888-800-8831 or drug-prevention.org.

(Rosemary Jenkins is a Democratic activist and chair of the Northeast Valley Green Coalition. Jenkins has written Leticia in Her Wedding Dress and Other Poems, A Quick-and-Easy Reference to Correct Grammar and Composition and Vignettes for Understanding Literary and Related Concepts. She also writes for CityWatch.)

-cw