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Narconon Idaho
Grand Opening Ceremony |
Executive Director, Bill Jensen, and President,
Maria Jensen,
cutting the ribbon at the official opening.
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The Grand Opening of Narconon
Idaho was held on the main street of Burley on Friday the 26th of September,
2003. After the welcoming words of Maria Jensen, the National Anthem was sung
by Tom Stimpson, followed by the invocation given by Ken Kuhlman from the First
Baptist Church.
Bill Jensen told about the history of Narconon Idaho. He
also gave a warm speech about Oliver Lusk, friend and Narconon volunteer, to
whom the Grand Opening ceremony was dedicated. Oliver was very instrumental in
helping the center to open. Bill also gave framed certificates to Cassia
(County) Regional Medical Center and Minidoka (County) Health Care Foundation
in recognition of their support.
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Burley Mayor Jon Anderson read the
proclamation declaring September 26, 2003 as Narconon Day. Also speaking were
Paul City Council President Garth Baker and State Senator Dean Cameron. Senator
Cameron quoted statistics regarding how much the state is paying for drug
abuse, drug medical care, drug incarceration, etc., which underscores how
important it is that this new rehab facility has been opened.
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President of Narconon International, Clark Carr, spoke about how the drug
problem touches every community in the world and how the Narconon Network is
reaching out to help. There is a heavy methamphetamine situation in Idaho that
needs resolving. He spoke about how proud he is to have Narconon Idaho working
hard to solve this problem. |
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After an Idaho potato bar luncheon,
many people stayed for the Drug Forum. Headed by Bill Jensen himself, the panel
included Lt. Randy Kid (Head of the local Drug Task Force), Corporal Jeff
Fackrell (police drug educator), Damian Rodriguez ( Director of the local
Vocational Rehab and Narconon Idaho Board Member), Denton Darrington (State
Senator), and Clark Carr. The question and answer period included a lot of back
and forth with the audience and was very informative. |
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There were numerous radio shows
and press articles about the event.
Narconon Idaho received proclamations
from four different cities. |
The intentions of the
executives, staff and volunteers of the new center were well communicated to
the community. In fact, following the event, a number of community members
expressed an interest in addressing the drug problem. School officials and
counselors, law enforcement officials, health and welfare officials, as well as
people from the local newspaper now meet on a weekly basis (at 6:30 in the
morning, no less!) to determine what each can do to help handle the problem.
One of their goals is to change the law regarding penalties for drug-related
crimes.
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Narconon International welcomes Narconon Idaho to
our network, and we look forward to their future expansion and the increased
number of lives saved in their area.
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