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KOKH Fox 25 News: Narconon Arrowhead Legislation Planned
http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_...onon-arrowhead-legislation-planned-6283.shtml
http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_...onon-arrowhead-legislation-planned-6283.shtml
http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2012/pr20120817a.htmlNarconon Arrowhead Legislation Planned
An Oklahoma Senator is planning to draft legislation in wake of the deaths at a rehab facility in Canadian, Oklahoma. Senator Tom Ivester says he plans to work with officials at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to author his legislation. Ivester says his legislation will be aimedat "regulating questionable practices of a drug treatment program with close ties to the Church of Scientology."
In July, Stacy Murphy became the third person to die at the facility in a nine month period.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health is currently investigating Narconon Arrowhead. The Pittsburg County District Attorney is also investigating the facility. It is still deciding whether or not criminal charges will be filed against the facility for the death of Stacy Murphy. However, it is still waiting for the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office to turn over the results of its investigation. It is also waiting for the Medical Examiner's Office to release its toxicology report from Stacy Murphy's death.
Fox 25 will have more on this story tonight on the Fox 25 News after the football game.
MARISA MENDELSON
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
[email protected]
[SIZE=+3]Oklahoma State Senate
[/SIZE]Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105For Immediate Release: August 17, 2012
Ivester plans legislation in wake of Narconon Arrowhead deaths
Sen. Tom Ivester said he will work with officials at Oklahoma’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to author legislation aimed at regulating questionable practices of a drug treatment program with close ties to the Church of Scientology.
“A recent in-depth investigation by NBC’s national news program, “Rock Center,” highlighted the story of three people who walked into the Narconon Arrowhead facility expecting to leave with a new outlook on life but ended up losing their lives,” Ivester said. “The parents trusted Narconon to give their children the help they needed to get clean. Instead they got a phone call telling them their child would not be coming home alive.”
Ivester said he believes the state could impose strict regulations of unorthodox drug treatment programs, like the one being run at Narconon Arrowhead that requires patients to endure five hours of extreme heat in a sauna and taking questionable doses of the vitamin Niacin.
“There are proven treatment regimens to help people deal with the illness of addiction and we have a duty to ensure that programs being offered within the borders of Oklahoma are strongly regulated to ensure the upmost safety for these vulnerable patients and their families,” said the Democrat from Sayre.
The lawmaker said a quick legal search revealed no less than 15 lawsuits against the facility on Lake Eufaula.
“Clearly something isn’t right and we have a moral obligation to do everything in our power to end this predatory business being run by the Church of Scientology disguised as drug treatment,” he said.
Ivester vowed not to stop until legislation is signed into law ending these senseless deaths and the exploitation of desperate family members.
“This is a disgusting business that preys on desperate family members and their sick loved ones, scamming them out of thousands of dollars with the promise of providing hope and new life,” Ivester said. “It’s a disgrace to have these people operating in the state of Oklahoma. Too many lives have been lost under their watch.”
For more information contact:
Sen. Ivester: (405) 521-5545