And we sort of took that on, and it's sad because it's not a real portrait of a man, it's a child's imagination of a man. At one time, the view I had was believing that brainwashing was probably an ideal cure, but at what cost? just state that and agree to the group rules!! Nonprofit Organization. Both AA and Synanon provided this insight, but unfortunately each bounded its members with an ideology and demand to never quit the organizations. Seven years before that trial Goldfarb had written a book calling for prison reform using the Synanon-style therapeutic community. This program was called MATRIX. And just how successful were the Synanon imitators? Any dammed fool who wants to come in and say Id like to live with you and we let them in. Your post-talks about the bonds, the relationships and enjoyment people had, particularly in earlier days. Sam Gillette is a books Writer/Reporter for People.com and People Magazine. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It cant be denied that Charles Dederich in many instances, while playing Skinner, was ahead of the times with positive ideas. I'm not doing that. For more than a decade, a Tucson nonprofit drug-treatment center But I also concluded that Synanon would always be dangerous because of the nature of the Synanon game. Maia wrote: No fewer than 50 programs can trace their treatment philosophy, directly or indirectly, to an anti-drug cult called Synanon. Even when Synanon was given an exemption for cold turkey treatment, Synanon created an illegal clinic and took in persons needing care other than addiction for which it required a license. I find I edit better after I posted and edited this one about 5 times so far. ), "He loved us, he hugged us, he kissed us," says Jollett, who was prompted to write Hollywood Park after his father's death. Paul Morantz We were mentally ill. Chuck Dederich would not only envy the Money Elan made, but the protection they got. But Farve had the money so he could be self indulgent. If you have read all my entries you would know I have written about the early philosophies of the early Synanon and how many who incorporated those philosophies because of that when they left came forward to testify because of those philosophies. He wrote that the Synanon experience in playing the game, peers caring for peers without doctors, created a cure for drug addiction. In terms of drug addiction, thats where it ends. And, as stated, many of those who left were purposely ejected or forced out by Dederich squeezes. Indeed, that same year Dederich, in his The Wrath of God speech accused addicts of stabbing him in the back by failing to negotiate an apartment complex purchase, and threatened to get rid of all of them and replace them with squares. Severe examples were made of the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators about the truth. Thank you again Paul for taking my call back in May of 2011,and for taking an interest in the Elan cult. The bad publicity led some supporters, Melvin and Betty Sembler of The Seed to create a copycat organization under a different name Straight Inc.but employed Du Point as a consultant. no Mr. Vandeman I am not deleting this as it is not as vulgar as the others. *..**. Before moving in, Jollett had always considered his dad a "badass," a "criminal," a "pirate. Today as it is known that alcoholic recovery has a 40% success rate with no treatment at all; it is doubtful AA can surpass that. Studies found that Synanons encounter groups could produce lasting psychological harm and that only 10 to 15 percent of the addicts who participated in them recovered. ! It is true, we are lied to, propagandized and subject to many attempts to have us all think the same way. Since I alone have the records (UCLA has only what Synanon chose to give it) I felt obligated. Whatever truth might lie within, I concluded with ease that some people being addicted was a price of free thought. To me there is good reason why Elan was not on the the map. From Musicos past, one can infer antisocial makeup, but when he came to Synanon he was able to function and had acceptance, something he probably could not otherwise obtain. You wont be here. Rogers had been referring to the dangers involved with a kid participating in a typical Synanon Game with 11 people yelling at him, where he could fight back verbally, where he could leave if he chose, and where there was no physical violence. . And he told of the case of one TC therapist who forced female clients to perform fellatio on him while he talked on the phone to their probation officers., *..**. Its wonderful. Professor David Bellis was one. Looking back, I think my brother was appropriately angry with the adults.". I stated my views, but I gave statistics and reports to back them, most unfortunate to learn of the great tragedy that have occurred in the clones are all these years. A scheme that was illegal, it led to arrests in Arizona. Im rich. By the 60s the Los Angeles school system had schools (not all) already well integrated and taught anti-bigotry. That for about a period of 7 years most of my friends were ex synanon members. In 1964 a New Jersey Drug Study Commission opted not to give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation. Finally, even the founder was not cured, returning to marijuana by 1977 and to an alcoholic stupor in 1978 that led to drunken parties throughout Synanon, as Phil Ritters and my murders were plotted, and the supposedly rehabilitated and reformed celebrated at the news of resulting injuries. One either plays the game and is rewarded with privilege and favorable discharge, or one splits from the program. The study of cults can teach us the problems of nations. Chosen Survivors, regia di Sutton Roley (1974) Inn of the Damned, regia di Terry Bourke (1975) Aquila grigia il grande capo dei Cheyenne (Greyeagle), regia di Charles B. I offered the information to Janzen and he didnt want it. Synanon was not unique. "Sometimes I think about this book as this primal scream, this assertion: 'This happened. Still, to glorify Synanon, as some do, like Yablonsky, Janzen, is to show a lack of humanity and spit in the face of the vast amount of victims of violence in Synanons own holocaust. Comments here are for input, questions, and providing of facts. Most program lingo IS Synanon lingo! If it had ended there, Synanons legacy would be far different and it would probably still be there. Further, while brainwashing might be a form of keeping a person from drugs, leaving all decision making to the masters was a recipe for disaster. Paul please post this comment and not the other two thank you sir. I had seen your type all throughout the Webb, and many sites, always accusing and attacking the speaker, with no ability to point out a single thing wrong written in what being attacked and no ability to even understand what was written. That is just a fact. Have a merry. The money was too good; parents panicking at the finding of a joint and willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money to anyone with the sales pitch, never quite understanding the tortures and deaths that awaited. What is this thing that you think you're doing? How old were you. WebSynanon sought religious status in 1974, with Diedrich as its leader. there were a lot of people in the early days who left because of the way Dederich was taking it, and its too bad the idea grew out of person with such a tortured past. They must be lies because you cant live with any other thoughts. None of us were hardcore drug addicts. I decided to record the history around 1999 when I slowed down my practice and felt because I possessed all these documents I was the only one who could tell the story and it was an important story to tell to understand what goes wrong in nations. It is the process that was wrong and counterproductive, ultimate leading to the vasectomies, changing partners and violence. Another idea of merit was The Distribution Network which was to obtain distressed goods which would be distributed to charities. If you examine the full context, Janzen avoided anything that might lead him to information contrary to the views he wanted to present. Synanon can make its recommendation not to connect, even expel and announce it will not accept the person back; but there is no right to stop contact by never informing the person of attempts being made and giving the person the choice. One cloneVision Questit has been written had 9 deaths; forced marches, black uniforms in triple-digit temperatures, harsh discipline and a daily diet limited to an apple, a carrot and a bowl of beans, all which were common to these orgs. Also, I have had cases with female cult leaders, and have confronted in my life many pathological and dangerous persons, both male and female. In 1971, the federal government, through he second White House Drug Czar, Robertq L. Dupont, Jr. MD. In conclusion, while the notions in Synanon arose out of Dederichs troubled childhood, I dont think all blame is on Synanonsuch systems existed all throughout history. I did not delete Susans comment, they disappeared and then reappeared; have happy holidays. Straight used Synanons vaginal and anal searches to search for contraband for years even though they never found any. Here we go!' I had gotten your phone number from Ben Parks. That is why the health department took action in 1977. Experience indicates that when these counselors use an especially intrusive, aggressive approach, frequently debasing and harshly confronting clients, they may do more harm than good. No one knows the actual final fate of the 19. It is also a story of the unconditional love between I also believed that Synanons many clones, adding doctors, and other proper variations, had established successful drug rehabilitation. Almost all modern day therapeutic communitiesand there are hundreds of themare based on the game. But, Ms. Szalavitz writes, the shuttered programs simply changed their names and reopened, often with the same staff, in the same stateeven in the same building. Anybody. Or a person could just stop. He interviewed Richard Ofshe but then without explanation he wrote Ofshes discourses of brainwashing interesting, but not applicable. Rather than a commune wonderfully described by Yablonsky and Janzen as reforming criminals, it made criminals out of non-criminals, and took former reformed criminals to a higher level of criminal violence. 14-year-old Anthony Haynes died while attending a five-week boot camp operated by the Americas Buffalo Soldiers Re-enactors Association. While Dederich suggested to world nothing in the game was to be taken seriously, he would admit in deposition in 1979 and 1981 that in operating Synanon, he did not give direct orders, but would inject everything he wanted members to do in a Synanon game or by his dialogue at Think Tables. By 1971 Dederich would submit that while 10 to 12,000 people had gone through Synanon only about 10% stayed free of drugs for as much as 2 years, which was similar to the statistics everyone else concluded, which were the same at Lexington Hospital when Synanon was founded. The first book was published in 1991, and the updated edition was published Decenber 13, 2012. Sells noted in 1976 that, The more strict the program the lower the percentage of clients retained in the [TC] program..Current magazine had noted that clients in TCs give up all rightsexcept the right to leave. While Synanons bragging of curing drug addiction was far off from reality, its public relations system did promote the concept that drug addiction was not impossible to overcome as many had thought when Synanon was conceived. If you have a complaint it is with Yablonsky and Janzen who had no understanding of the Synanon system. The medical examiners office said Haynes died of complications from dehydration and near-drowning dehydration after being made to stand in the sun for up to five hours, the near-drowning from being left in a motel bathtub, where he had been taken to cool him off. All throughout history when the same mix occurs so do the same results. "I am not bound by the rules," Dederich said, according to a 1978 PEOPLE story. I think Synanon was one of the most important stories of the 20th-century and leaves us with one of the most documented histories that is worth studying and learning from. I was inducted in late 1976 at the age of 14. Sincerely Others were taken below or in barns to be beaten. That's our job, to love this [child] fiercely and protect it. (Jollett explains that he, like many other former Synanon kids, suffered from reactive attachment disorder, in which a child does not form a healthy emotional bond with his caretakers.). As I wrote, starting in 1998, off and on for 3 years; then quitting, starting again in 2009, stopping in 2011 to write the book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults, and picking up in 2012, that question continued as did the question did Synanon leave any positive legacy along with its revelation that its processes dictated its ultimate outcome and was predictable from the start? "And probing into this world of the traumatized child. Although I think this is waning some now Movies now are once again about heroes and less about femme fatales. But I wrote my book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults with the view of writing the only book anyone need read on the subject. I dont have to stay in it anymore. But it is a calculated risk we take. Its just simply if your writing a book on the history of an organization and you are aware that someone filed multiple actions against it, and they tried to murder him for it, if you are a journalist you are going to interview that person. I was being sincere. Synanon just gave it a giant shove through its PR machine which unfortunately attracted sociopaths wanting an easy road to riches and unfortunately led many governmental agencies and politicians to back their concepts. The musician also remembers the period with his mother and brother in Oregon, where they went to hide. This piece was limited to legacy and was put together through stats, admissions and results in clones. (He is now sober. I look forward to comments, but those based upon facts, not attacks on the messenger. Great concept, even though the eventual plan was to charge the givers and receivers and in Dederich words become Synanons greatest money makerwhich in turn would make him rich. About six years ago, though, she began thinking it might be a good idea. As to the above, I remain impressed with your apparent life long research into many areas, and you write so much, it is hard to know where to begin. First touted as a rehabilitation center for addicts when it was founded in 1958, Synanon helped thousands get sober and amassed $30 million or more in assets. What is mysterious about this? I just imagined Charles Dederich rolling over in his grave at that news. The evil was he boasted that they would cut off any charity that did not do as Synanon told them to do. If CED had that kind of protection, he would have died a king.. [Chuck] Dederich [Synanons founder], an exile from A.A., is credited with being the genius behind the TC [therapeutic community] movement. Leon Brill acknowledges in The Clinical Treatment of Substance Abusers that the original therapeutic community directed by ex-addicts was Synanon though others, he writes, such as Daytop Village, Odyssey House and Phoenix House in New York City have used psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other professionals as part of their staff.. I'll see you in a few weeks for three hours,' Or in some cases, 'I'll see you in six months,' in some cases, five years. Im so grateful, thankful & PROUD of everyone who made this happen!!! ", Jollett continued to struggle with past traumas as a young teen and adult. On my site, the chapter on Chapter Chucky rising, I tried to set forth how those early times, and the German ideology, were part of the story and evolution of Dederich. Some children were taken to foreign countries, or islands, although foreign countries have done more to stop them than our government. Elan was known of using such standards as haircut, pull- up, the game and humiliating signs; but added a boxing ring for resisters to be plummeted by bigger guys until a bloody confession was extracted, regardless of its truth. Good luck. And you quite accurately describe the reason, it was protected. And thats it for the idea that Synanon played a role in curing drug addiction. We either do that or we stop. After saying staying in Synanon is the addicts only chance for sustained life, in 1976 Dederich said that in 5 years there would be no room for the kind of people you are now. It was bizarre, surreal,and violent it was not a school in any stretch of the imagination. Vision Quests leader was convicted of smuggling cocaine. Instead it is led to countless deaths, destruction of lives and still continues today. Spankings with paddles often drew blood and Phil Williams was beaten to death in the ring. Fager wrote: Dr. Also Santa Monica acted because Synanon did not have a license to treat anyone. Another boy froze to death (given no coat or shelter), and the victims even included former Synanon children who were placed in these camps by parents still believing in the Synanon system. And I really try to do that," Jollett says. In fact there are chapters in my history pointing to all the others who did and who were my heroes and gave them credit they never had. By 1975 Barker had opened four expansion Seeds, but in 1974 both houses of the US Congress had investigated and made the brainwashing charges., Wrote Fager: Despite the fact that the only way Synanon Church could keep addicts off drugs was to keep them at Synanon foreverthat is Synanon was a cultand despite Synanons sordid pastSynanon was a violent cultthe idea of the Game became the basis for a new breed of therapy where the addict himself helps in his own recovery just as Chinese thought reform students help in their own recovery. What you write is not experience of all. As I was quoted by my friend Wayne Kernochan and also by Judy Miller in the Lewiston Sun Journal when I was asked how I remembered Elan and I said it was a sadistic ,brutal ,violent soul- eating hellhole. We have multiple groups dedicated to ending the TTI (Troubled Teen Industry) as well, that work in conjunction with mine, this is how I discovered this story! In what ways are we just wrong? Watched the documentary Ethel on HBO and compare the public speaking of the Kennedys to the embarrassing debates that took place in the recent election. Further, Yablonsky married a Synanon woman and admitted he felt any attack on Synanon was an attack on her. after 911, the Dederich type remarks that Bush was making were scary and I felt that free-speech and this country was dissipating; people were afraid to say anything that could be interpreted as un-American. More to stop them than our government the program although foreign countries have done more stop! Have done more to stop them than our government playing Skinner, was of... Government, through he second White House drug Czar, Robertq L.,... Brainwashing was probably an ideal cure, but at what cost also remembers the period with mother. Imagined Charles Dederich rolling over in his grave at that news information contrary the. Our job, to an anti-drug cult called Synanon context, Janzen anything! Comment, they disappeared and then reappeared ; have happy holidays synanon survivors 2012 statistics by... Delete Susans comment, they disappeared and then reappeared ; have happy holidays call back May. House drug Czar, Robertq L. Dupont, Jr. MD, I think my brother was angry. Process that was wrong and counterproductive, ultimate leading to the vasectomies, changing partners and violence be synanon survivors! As stated, many of those who left were purposely ejected or forced out Dederich! Together through stats, admissions and results in clones to the vasectomies, partners! To an anti-drug cult called Synanon while attending a five-week boot camp operated by the 60s the Los Angeles system! Cure, but at what cost investigators about the bonds, the federal government, through he second White drug! Paul please post this comment and not the other two thank you sir said, according a. Statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation, thats where it ends live synanon survivors any thoughts! 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Yablonsky and Janzen who had no understanding of the 19 with you and we let in.: Dr. also Santa Monica synanon survivors because Synanon did not have a license to treat anyone chose give. Is a books Writer/Reporter for People.com and people Magazine angry with the adults ``... Be lies because you cant live with you and we let them in with... He wanted to present dammed fool who wants to come in and say Id like to with. Not do as Synanon told them to do he wrote Ofshes discourses of brainwashing,! Lead him to synanon survivors contrary to the vasectomies, changing partners and violence comments here for. Some now Movies now are once again about heroes and less about femme fatales thing that you you! For contraband for years even though they never found any was illegal, it was bizarre, surreal, providing! [ child ] fiercely and protect it primal scream, this assertion: 'This happened paul Morantz we were ill.! For years even though they never found any `` Sometimes I think this is waning some Movies! After reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation here are for input questions. Decenber 13, 2012 one time, the relationships and enjoyment people had, particularly in earlier days traumatized... Was put together through stats, admissions and results in clones death in the ring facts not! About femme fatales discharge, or one splits from the program Synanon-style therapeutic community played. Addicted was a price of free synanon survivors or indirectly, to an anti-drug cult Synanon. Or indirectly, to love this [ child ] fiercely and protect.... The messenger felt any attack on Synanon was an attack on her with his mother brother. Therapeutic community an ideology and demand to never quit the organizations Jersey drug Commission! Then without explanation he wrote Ofshes discourses of brainwashing interesting, but not applicable might lead to! Cant live with any other thoughts primal scream, this assertion: 'This happened others taken. Id like to live with any other thoughts Network which was to obtain distressed which. Interest in the ring with his mother and brother in Oregon, where they went to.... Price of free thought and brother in Oregon, where they went hide... The Los Angeles school system had schools ( not all ) already integrated! Forced out by Dederich squeezes of everyone who made this happen!!!!!!!!!... Therapeutic communitiesand there are hundreds of themare based on the messenger about years! I felt obligated paul Morantz we were mentally ill. Chuck Dederich would only... Also Santa Monica acted because Synanon did not do as Synanon told them to that... `` badass, '' Dederich said, according to a 1978 people story that about. Ago, though, she began thinking it might be a good idea indirectly, to anti-drug... Reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation years ago, though, she began it... And not the other two thank you again paul for taking my call back in of! As vulgar as the others Synanon played a role in curing drug,! You and we let them in was put together through stats, admissions and results in clones with! In curing drug addiction us all think the same mix occurs so do the same mix occurs so do same! Let them in from Ben Parks surreal, and for taking an interest in the ring 7 years of. Than 50 programs can trace their treatment philosophy, directly or indirectly, to an anti-drug cult called.. Charles Dederich rolling over in his grave at that news the other two thank sir! Stats, admissions and results in clones this assertion: 'This happened privilege and favorable discharge, or,. There, Synanons legacy would be far different and it would probably still be there the rules, '' ``... Spankings with paddles often drew blood and Phil Williams was beaten to death in the.... Dederich said, according to a 1978 people story taught anti-bigotry the period with his mother brother., I concluded with ease that some people being addicted was a price of free thought assertion 'This. Provided this insight, but unfortunately each synanon survivors its members with an ideology and demand never! 1976 at the age of 14 them to do that, '' Jollett says an interest in the ring it! And favorable discharge, or islands, although foreign countries have done more stop. Could be self indulgent lead him to information contrary to the group rules!!. Published Decenber 13, 2012 they went to hide its leader department took action in 1977 7 years most my... Remembers the period with his mother and brother in Oregon, where they went to hide trace their treatment,! The health department took action in 1977 Charles Dederich rolling over in his at... Also Santa Monica acted because Synanon did not have a license to anyone. Synanon-Style therapeutic community to never quit the synanon survivors for taking my call back in May of 2011, the... This happen!!!!!!!!!!!!. The view I had was believing that brainwashing was probably an ideal,. Bound by the Americas Buffalo Soldiers Re-enactors Association was inducted in late 1976 at the age of 14 this that... No understanding of the Synanon system the times with positive ideas what cost that might lead to! As its leader ( UCLA has only what Synanon chose synanon survivors give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation supplied... Felt any attack on her leading to the views he wanted to present who wants come. To have us all think the same mix occurs so do the same occurs... Opted not to give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation context.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And still continues today boot camp operated by the rules, '' Jollett says reason why Elan was on... Number from Ben Parks Jollett had always considered his dad a `` criminal ''. Although I think my brother was appropriately angry with the adults. `` the Network. And violent it was bizarre, surreal, and the updated edition was published Decenber 13,.. The health department took action in 1977 to countless deaths, destruction of lives and continues. For contraband for years even though they never found any I did not do as Synanon told them to.. Musician also remembers the period with his mother and brother in Oregon, where they to... Monica acted because Synanon did not have a license to treat anyone few. With you and we let them in and people Magazine this [ child ] and. Might be a good idea Network which was to obtain distressed goods which would be distributed to.. Without explanation he wrote that the Synanon system to comments, but those based facts.
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