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Translation of a French article posted on Monday, April 14, 2014 on the website of Radio-Canada, the French arm of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:
Narconon a floué et maltraité des patients, selon la Commission des droits de la personne
Narconon a floué et maltraité des patients, selon la Commission des droits de la personne
Narconon abused and mistreated patients, according to Quebec's Human Rights Commission
by Gaétan Pouliot
April 14, 2014
The body responsible for upholding human rights in Quebec reached these conclusions after investigating the practices of Narconon, which was forced to close its doors in 2012. The Commission now calls on Narconon to compensate the victims.
A resolution by the Commission states that Narconon Trois-Rivières mistreated and financially exploited David Edgar Love while he was "in a vulnerable position."
Originally from British Columbia, Mr. Love is a former client and employee of Narconon Trois-Rivières. He filed a complaint in 2010 after spending nearly a year at Narconon.
Narconon charged him "considerable amounts for a detoxification program which was not scientifically approved and which involved health and safety hazards," says the Commission document, which is based on evidence and documentary proof. Moreover, the rehab center was staffed by "unqualified people."
The Commission also asserts that Mr. Love was a victim of abuse. Narconon submitted him to "humiliating and degrading practices," to "poor living and food conditions," and to "forced confinement and coercion," says the document.
Mr. Love was also forced to work without pay.
Narconon wants a non-disclosure agreement
Contacted by Radio-Canada, David Edgar Love says that similar resolutions have been reached for two other plaintiffs in this case. We were able to consult two of the three documents.
"We've won a victory," says Love. "After years of investigation, they concluded that we had told the truth."
Narconon offered him compensation totalling approximately 20% of the amount determined by the Human Rights Commission, he says. In addition, he was asked to sign a confidentiality clause, which would then have prevented him from talking about the case. And this agreement must be accepted by the three victims to be effective, he says, outraged.
Mr. Love has no intention of signing such an agreement. He is not out for money and prefers that the matter be made public to prevent others from being exploited.
"Narconon Trois-Rivières was committing horrendous human rights violations."
- David Edgar Love
The Human Rights Commission could also bring this case to court to obtain compensation for the victims. This is what Mr. Love would like the Commission to do.
However, if this scenario comes to pass, Narconon is threatening to declare bankruptcy, says Love, who says he is still traumatized by his experience in Trois-Rivières.
Narconon and Scientology
Narconon is a network of drug rehab centers affiliated with the Church of Scientology. It has facilities in various countries and offers treatments based on the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
In April 2012, the Health and Social Services Agency of the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec region refused to grant certification to the Trois-Rivières detox center, forcing the closure of the establishment.
Narconon's practices were controversial. Some of its therapies represented a "health risk," said the Health Agency, for example, "the sudation method that is combined with the massive intake of vitamins, as well as the lack of an agreement with any doctors."
Mr. Love says he underwent sweating treatments for 26 consecutive days and consumed large doses of vitamins. When he left the center, he was hospitalized for three days for liver problems.
Narconon received persons addicted to drugs and alcohol from 2001 to 2012.
Radio-Canada tried to contact a representative of Narconon, but without success.
Link to the Quebec Human Rights Commission resolution:
In French
In English