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In 1966 Narconon was the dream of one man: Willie Benitez, a
three-time convicted felon and a 19-year,
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Many inmates asked
to join the popular first narconon program in Arizona.
It had 60 students before spreading to other prisons.
(Benitez, left front)
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hard- core drug addict.
Admitted to the Arizona State Prison after being convicted once
again for a drug-related offense, Mr. Benitez read a book by
L. Ron Hubbard. The information it contained enabled him to
overcome his own addiction, something he had unsuccessfully
tried to do for years. Then, after corresponding with Mr. Hubbard
who offered advice, he initiated a program to assist his fellow
inmates and addicts to overcome their substance abuse problems.
Starting with 20 inmates, the program grew to include many more
prisoners, including even non-addicts who wanted to change their
lives.
A fter he had run the program for seven months, prison officials
asked him to start another program for young offenders.
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William Benitez (standing
in front of the door) in the first Narconon class in
Arizona state Prison in 1966.
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Upon his release from prison, he expanded the program further,
including non-incarcerated addicts as well. Shortly after the
turn of the century, the Narconon program was operating more
than 70 centers in 30 countries around the world freeing more
than 16,000 individuals from the shackles of drugs. And through
its drug education lecture program it introduced more than one
million children to “the truth about drugs.”
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“I have had a
dream for many years. I wanted to solve the drug problems
of Taiwan, but the opportunity was never there  so
I could never achieve the dream.
“Then I found L. Ron Hubbard's drug rehabilitation
method which I feel is the most effective. We worked with
the government to set up a Narconon pilot program in Taipei
Jail in Taiwan. It got outstanding results.
"Using Mr. Hubbard’s method will resolve many
problems for the world. I believe that with it, working
hard, we can help the people of the world to avoid the
harmful effects of drugs.
"I want hope to expand. I wish for everyone to avoid
the effects of drugs. And, for them to walk towards happiness
and a sweet life."
Master Ching Yao Shih
Founder of the Young Buddhist Association - Taiwan |
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