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Narconon Arrowhead
Celebrates its
Second Anniversary and
National
Recovery Month
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The theme for National
Recovery Month is Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Health.
After 36 years of rehabilitating addicts and preventing drug abuse amongst
young people, the Narconon network has much to celebrate.
On September 20, 2003, Narconon Arrowhead celebrated it's second
anniversary in conjunction with National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery
Month.
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Joining Narconon staff, graduates and friends from around the world
was guest speaker, actress, writer, and loving mother Priscilla Presley. Along
with Narconon spokespersons, local and state officials, Presley spoke not just
about the problem of addiction, but solutions as well.
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"There is another task even more important
than rehabilitation. In order to rid our society of drug addiction, we must
have effective drug education programs that teach children to think for
themselves and not to succumb to peer pressure to play around with drugs," she
stated to the crowd of nearly 1,000 who gathered at the Expo Center in
McAlester, Oklahoma. |
The Narconon
program seeks to educate as well as rehabilitate and proves that drug addiction
can be completely overcome. According to Ms. Presley, "A good first step for
all of us to take in helping those whom we love is to get ourselves
educated--then we can reach out and truly help them." When asked if she believes that the Narconon
program might have helped Elvis overcome his drug addiction, she said
"Absolutely, I do."
The theme of this event was "A community that pulls
together can make a better society for all", a quote from humanitarian L.
Ron Hubbard, whose research and developments are the basis for the success of
the Narconon program. "Recovery Month encompasses more than just substance
abuse treatment and prevention," remarked Luke Catton, President of Narconon
Arrowhead. "Nearly every sector of society is affected by it and therefore,
must work together if it is going to be stamped out of existence."
In that regard, a
number of community and statewide programs joined Narconon for this
celebration. Before the event began attendees were served a barbeque dinner,
and numerous organizations provided booths with information about their
services.
For the parents and children in
attendance a Narconon drug education presentation was given by Arrowhead's top
Drug Prevention Specialist, J.T. Daily. |
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The event itself carried the theme that recovery is possible and
the large number of Narconon graduates in the room were evidence to that.
| "A community that pulls together can make a better society for
all." |
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After an opening by the Native American Redland Singers and Choctaw
Nation Color Guard, Rev. James McLaughlin, Director of the Narconon program in
Houston, gave the invocation and sang the National Anthem. |
President Narconon Arrowhead Luke Catton hosted the evening's event.
After providing a warm welcome to the guests, he awarded four community
organizations with donations and presented a special Community Anti-Drug Award
to Chris White, publisher of the McAlester News-Capital &
Democrat.
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Donna Woods of
OCARTA (Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery and Treatment Association) gave
a heartfelt speech on behalf of the recovering community. |
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Oklahoma State Senator Richard Lerblance spoke
about the need to treat addicts
instead of incarcerating them, and asked for Narconon's assistance in training the
employees of the Department of Corrections. |
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District Attorney Chris Wilson spoke eloquently in favor of helping
addicts with full recovery.
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Clark Carr, President Narconon International told about the projects
underway around the world in such areas as the Philippines, China, and
Pakistan, offering hope for these communities as well. |
The final speaker for the evening was
special guest Priscilla Presley. Ms. Presley spoke to the audience about her
personal experiences with those addicted to drugs and emphasized the need to
provide real education to children on the effects of drugs. |
As
stated by Ms. Presley, we must first educate ourselves if we are to help
others.
Do you have questions about drug addiction? If so, the
Narconon materials can
provide you with answers.
If your community is in need of effective drug
prevention and rehabilitation services, Narconon International can help you
start a program in your area. For more information, please contact us at
info@narconon.org, or visit our website
at www.narconon.org.
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© 2003. Narconon
International. All Rights Reserved. Narconon and the Narconon logo are
trademarks and service marks owned by the Association for Better Living and
Education International and are used with its permission. Grateful
acknowledgement is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce
selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard. |
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