Editing Narconon (section)

===Origins===

[[File:L. Ron Hubbard in 1950.jpg|thumbnail|L. Ron Hubbard, founder of [[Scientology]], upon whose ideology the Narconon program is based.]]

Narconon was established 19 February 1966 as a [[drug rehabilitation]] program based on the book ''[[Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought]]'' by [[L. Ron Hubbard]], the creator of [[Scientology]], and was first delivered to drug abusers in the [[List of Arizona state prisons|Arizona prison system]]. The name "Narconon" originally referred not to an organization but to the program.

Narconon's creator was William C. Benitez, a former [[Arizona]] prison inmate who had served time for narcotics offenses.<ref>Narconon [http://www.narconon.org/about_benitez.htm The Origins of the Narconon Program]. Retrieved 4 June 2006.</ref> His work was supported by Hubbard, and in 1970 Hubbard sponsored the incorporation of Narconon as an organization.<ref name="About Hubbard">Narconon [http://www.narconon.org/about_lronhubbard.htm "L. Ron Hubbard and the Narconon program"]. Retrieved 4 June 2006.</ref> The organization was co-founded by Benitez and two Scientologists, [[Henning Heldt]] and Arthur Maren.

Even before Narconon became established, Scientology and [[Dianetics]] were promoted as providing a cure for [[drug addiction]]. In 1970, the Rev. John W. Elliot, senior minister of the [[Church of Scientology]] and chairman of its Drug Abuse Prevention team, announced that "Dianetic Counseling" had "completely cured 30 out of 30 people" who came to Scientology for help. Rev. Elliott also reported that Dianetics could cure [[hay fever]], [[asthma]] and [[arthritis]].<ref name="drolet1">{{cite news| title=Dianetics Guarantees Victory Over Drugs | date=22 January 1970 | last=Drolet | first=Eve | newspaper=Honolulu Advertiser | page=A-2 | quote=The Reverend John W. Elliott, senior minister of the Church of Scientology and chairman of its Drug Abuse Prevention team, announces that a technique called Dianetic Counselling has completely cured 30 out of 30 persons who came to his group for help. "Dianetic Counselling", says Elliot, "is a new technology which has resolved not only the craving for drugs, but also the after-effects. This will revolutionize the whole area of drug abuse, and the threat it poses to the mental and physical health of the State". ... Elliot feels the vast majority of people have some form of psychosomatic illness. Hay fever, asthma and arthritis are listed in this category by Elliot who says that Dianetics resolves all such problems}}</ref>

In the early days of Narconon, no distinction was made between Scientology's "religious" and "secular" branches; Narconon was considered by Scientologists to be an example of Scientology in action. "Narconon, with the Scientology program, is another example of the workability of Dianetics and Scientology", said an adherent in 1970. "The program has been expanded and is used in all Scientology churches and missions".<ref name="mercer_island">{{cite news |title=Scientology And It's [sic] Applications |newspaper=Mercer Island Reporter |date=8 April 1971 |quote=Scientology claims to have the only workable technology to find the source of a problem and eradicate it. ... While everyone is looking for a solution to drug abuse, Scientologists have one and use it.}}</ref>

The Narconon website reports that the keynote of Narconon is that the “...individual is responsible for his own condition and that anyone can improve his condition if he is given a workable way to do so... man is basically good and it is pain, suffering, and loss that lead him astray". It positions the program as an approach to rehabilitation without recourse to alternative drugs. This early program did not, however, deal directly with [[drug withdrawal|withdrawal]] symptoms. In 1973, the Narconon program adopted procedures to include drug-free withdrawal.<ref name="About Hubbard" />