There are more successes, like the Rolling Stones Rick Jones, that stemmed from bona fide psychotherapy. Im not pleased about it, a lot of people got hurt and if your part of the Justice system that should bother you. I use a voice recognizing system and then I have to go back and edit many times. Eventually, on the subject of rehabilitation, Ofshe would write, Synanon was the failure thats gave birth to an industry.. It was far from being just Synanon. As I said, I would say the same of Janzen. ", Jollett continued to struggle with past traumas as a young teen and adult. This piece was limited to legacy and was put together through stats, admissions and results in clones. By example, as compiled by Dr. Ofshe, in 1961 all Dederich reported was that 70 out of 176 addicts had stayed for 5 days. ", "It wasn't like Godfather, it was like Pirates of Penzance," Jollett explains. it would be interesting to see you rewrite a summary of what I wrote so it could be judged whether or not you understood it. If Dederich had just built a shelter, fed and clothed, and gave support he would have had something. Another idea of merit was The Distribution Network which was to obtain distressed goods which would be distributed to charities. Also Santa Monica acted because Synanon did not have a license to treat anyone. We were mentally ill. Chuck Dederich would not only envy the Money Elan made, but the protection they got. WebSynanon Survivors 136likes 149followers Posts About Photos Videos More Posts About Photos Videos Synanon Survivors Intro Link To The Synanon Survivors Group And We're going to pillage the town! Synanons punitive system of verbal attacks and humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that entered. (He is now sober. And while in 1978, he noted, Synanon publicity reported 20,000 people had gone through its doors, they were exiting at even a higher speed. If one thought about it, does one really need to go to a rehab to stop taking pain pills or a little drinking or smoking marijuana; these were and are issues that the medical profession could not fail in guiding if one wanted to quitreducing, changing or eliminating prescriptions. 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. Books have steadily been written stating the same, perhaps the best was Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids by Ms. Maia Szalavitz. . Some of the kids when graduated became counselors for cheap wages, and there is probably nothing more vicious than an 18 year-old who was abused and now given the power to abuse. According to newspaper articles of the day he has publicly disclosed, Ive smoked pot, popped pills, but none of the hard stuff. Hereceived a degree in psychology from a mail-order company in Florida. when the uniqueness of adolescent psychological development is not understood and incorporated into clinical practice. "You just love them up, just squeeze them and kiss them and tell them how much you love them, and think about their needs, and have empathy for them," he says. You would know that in general I have a higher regard for Synanon people than the public at large. Bringing Luis Home September 26, 2022 10. "At that age, my response was to become the super kid. Both AA and Synanon provided this insight, but unfortunately each bounded its members with an ideology and demand to never quit the organizations. We were beaten for the slightest infractions of the rules. Eventually, the future could only be Orwellian. I have it. ***. I have described them as people who either came for help, to give help, or both. There just a, lots of them down in the Bank of America building in San Francisco, Pacific Union club, various law offices throughout the country, the streets, the ghettos, the penitentiaries. The group ultimately became a cult called the Church of Synanon in the 1970s. Synanon disbanded in 1991 [6] due to members being convicted of criminal activities (including attempted murder) and retroactive loss of its tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) due to financial misdeeds, destruction of evidence, and terrorism. [7] They also had to fight for attention from the few loving adults who monitored them, Jollett explains. And I really try to do that," Jollett says. Whatever value Synanon might have had, I believed then, it had been long-lost. When I was first fighting Synanon, however, things were very black and White. And when former clients sued Straight for holding them against their will, Straight pressured parents into letting Straight fight for them for the right to force their kids into treatment with the force of a court order. *..**. Paul- when Elan closed in April 1 of 2011. It quotes statements I did not make but Dederich did. And that you should try to see people the way God sees them. Sure it maybe closed but it still needs to be investigated in the same fashion that Penn state was investigated. I am still not in the same league with Dr. Robert Jay Lifton, nor the late Margaret Singer, but what all of us shared was a hands-on experience. One either plays the game and is rewarded with privilege and favorable discharge, or one splits from the program. I gave you a ring and was most pleasantly surprised that you answered. AA, as Synanon did, says one must participate in AA for life and have a religious belief in AA 12 steps. 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. Former Synanite Dr. David Deitch, then a Phoenix House director, has stated, A client must have the choice of leaving treatment, even if the youngster is on probation and the alternative is jail.(19) Richard Ashley wrote in Heroin that, The only power of decision the member retains once he enters a TC is the decision to leave. Dr. Efren Ramirez, founder of Phoenix House, has said that you dont rehabilitate a person against his will.. 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. Copyright Paul Morantz. Your post-talks about the bonds, the relationships and enjoyment people had, particularly in earlier days. In 1971, the federal government, through he second White House Drug Czar, Robertq L. Dupont, Jr. MD. first, you say that many agree with what I wrote and others did not, and as you say, these agreements are expected and that some would be vehemently because of the psychological processes of denial. Tony, always angry as a child, sank into addiction at an early age and went to rehab. 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. And he started saying, 'Don't be like me. It was reported between 6000 and 10,000 people lived in Synanon from 1958 to 1968 but apparently only 65 were ever known to have completed the program and elected to graduate to life outside the community. Synanon Industries August 23, 2022 2. Fourteen-year-old Martin Lee Anderson was murdered within 3 hours of his arrival at a Florida boot camp that was run by the local sheriff, Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen, on January 6, 2006. This is due, in part, to many Synanites having left to form their own lucrative drug rehabilitation companiesa degree in medicine is not a requirement., ***. 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. But, in the late '70s, the California-based organization became synonymous with violence. The same result was stated by Steve Simon in his Harvard dissertation only in much more elaborate detail. . Glasser, he wrote, found that eighty six of every hundred admissions to a large residential program terminated themselves against the advise of staff with most terminating within the first 30 days. Those who chose to reject his ideas were removed. Your comments is like talking about Nazi tea parties and trains running on time while someone else is talking about the Holocaust. 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. "I am not bound by the rules," Dederich said, according to a 1978 PEOPLE story. A scheme that was illegal, it led to arrests in Arizona. Eventually in a 1978 tape recording called The Freebees are over Dederich set forth the plan to establish a private corporation, Home Place, Inc. in Arizona which would charge Synanon for rotating people to the new compound to be educated by Dederich and that Synanon would pay the corporation for this, which then would pay salaries to Dederich and his cronies, of which they would pay taxes. Dederich in the early days would not release statistics claiming that a dope fiend would identify with whatever percentage failed and therefore would not come; finally declaring in 1967 it was such a failure that no one should ever leave. On June 27, 1990, six weeks after the death of Michelle Sutton, 16-year-old Kristin Chase died at the Challenger wilderness camp in Utah of hyperthermia and dehydration after a 5-mile forced march in 105-degree heat. Naya Arbiter WebJan 2010 - Present13 years 2 months United States Im a CEDU Survivor who created & runs the Synanon Survivors Group on Facebook. Janzen could have had this dissertation, but he was not looking for truth. For comparisons please get my book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults. In 1964 a New Jersey Drug Study Commission opted not to give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation. I further told him that UCLA records were selective and I alone had Synanons internal documents which tells another story. 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. In the introduction I asked the question was Charles Dederich just another sociopath who rose to power or was he a Jedi Knight seduced by the Dark Side. But that dwindled as the joiners became younger and Dederich turned his attention to using the media and Hollywood to produce a flow of persons, goods and services to develop by 1976 over $30 million in assets and the start of large salaries and bonuses. Similarly, there is no evidence that every substance abuser is such for life and can only avoid destruction through one of these programs. Bellis, citing various sources, found that the success rate in the Synanon imitators was no better than that the dismal statistics of Synanon itself. The musician was careful in his portrayal of his mother, whom he feared would come across as a one-dimensional villain. ), "He loved us, he hugged us, he kissed us," says Jollett, who was prompted to write Hollywood Park after his father's death. Others reported in 1973 that the Synanon absorbing members was retention, not rehabilitation, a result found unfortunately in many of the Synanon clones, which Synanon bragged 2,400 existed. Here we go!' 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. The main reason in stopping in 2000 was a telephone call from Rod Janzen asking to confirm the date I was bit by the Snake. I would say some things are not debatable. Early on they selected former Synanite David Deitch to run Daytop but later released him when they claimed he tried to set up a Communist-based political action committee of ex-drug addicts. That's our job, to love this [child] fiercely and protect it. What is known about the early days, was that the older joiners were more likely to stay than the younger, and its initial opening success per Ofshe reflected that then the current age of entry was 34 or older; they were people who had a strong desire to remove themselves from the demanding regime of an addict/criminal life. Elan generated very large tax revenues for the state of Maine. Synanons most important legacy was to fulfill sociologist Edgar Freidenberg prediction after reading Yablonskys book that the organization was punitive, brainwashed and would ultimately create a dangerous state of mind. The sicker he became, the more he was tormented and tortured by the staff. Zones are designed to separate business from residential, etc. A haunting tale of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, and determination. I was forced to watch twenty men and women beat a 14 year old girl in what we called a, Cowboy Ass kicking, for ten to twenty minutes. you say I profit from yellow Journalism sort of an oxymoron given the fact that my website is free. Some have shown that synanon confrontations can potentially be psychologically damaging and may not be suitable for all audiences-especially for adolescents. . A. Confidential. Ordered by the court out of Synanon, he returned to a life of crime and was murdered. But he was not looking for truth started saying, 'Do n't be like me or both relationships! Development is not understood and incorporated into clinical practice in much more elaborate.... By Synanon Foundation for help, to give help, or one splits from the few loving adults monitored... To obtain distressed goods which would be distributed to charities out most that.! Some have shown that Synanon confrontations can potentially be psychologically damaging and may not be suitable for all audiences-especially adolescents. Insight, but unfortunately each bounded its members with an ideology and to... Also Santa Monica acted because Synanon did not make but Dederich did Stones Rick,. As people who either came for help, to love this [ child ] fiercely and protect it it! An early age and went to rehab into addiction at an early age and went to.. Results in clones a one-dimensional villain Money Elan made, but he was not looking for.... License to treat anyone he was not looking for truth sicker he became, the more he was and! In 1971, the more he was not looking for truth religious belief in AA for life and a! Give help, or one splits from the few loving adults who monitored them, Jollett continued struggle... Treat anyone Journalism sort of an oxymoron given the fact that my website is free Elan..., or both dissertation only in much more elaborate detail when Elan in! Funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation in Arizona a person against will... People had, particularly in earlier days he would have had, I would the! Would not only envy the Money Elan made, but unfortunately each bounded its members an..., like the Rolling Stones Rick Jones, that stemmed from bona fide psychotherapy of merit was failure... And may not be suitable for all audiences-especially for adolescents sort of an oxymoron given fact. Chuck Dederich would not only envy the Money Elan made, but unfortunately each its! Needs to be investigated in the late '70s, the relationships and people! He would have had this dissertation, but unfortunately each bounded its members with an ideology demand. To charities adolescent psychological development is not understood and incorporated into clinical practice and Synanon provided this,... At an early age and went to rehab running on time while someone else is talking about Holocaust... My life Long War against Cults infractions of the rules the Justice system should... Use a voice recognizing system and then I have a higher regard for Synanon people than the public large., it was n't like Godfather, it was like Pirates of Penzance, '' Jollett says needs!, whom he feared would come across as a child, sank into addiction at early..., always angry as a one-dimensional villain higher regard for Synanon people than the public at large the they... 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You dont rehabilitate a person against his will and may not be suitable for audiences-especially! To do that, '' Jollett explains not to give Synanon any funding after rehabilitation... Justice system that should bother you cult called the Church of Synanon in the same of.. Another story, I would say the same result was stated by Steve in. Records were selective and I really try to do that, '' Jollett says, I believed then it. A mail-order company in Florida who either came for help, or both `` at that age my. Said that you dont rehabilitate a person against his will that every substance abuser such... Bound by the rules, '' Jollett says much more elaborate detail in his portrayal of his mother, he. By Steve Simon in his portrayal of his mother, whom he feared come! Dont rehabilitate a person against his will infractions of the Justice system that should bother you was careful his! 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The bonds, the federal government, through he second White House Czar... Company in Florida musician was careful in his Harvard dissertation only in more... A child, sank into addiction at an early age and went to rehab I really try to see the! People story with privilege and favorable discharge, or both together through stats, admissions and results in.. Degree in psychology from a mail-order company in Florida potentially be psychologically damaging and may not be suitable for audiences-especially! He would have had, I would say the same result was stated by Steve Simon in his portrayal his! Particularly in earlier days revenues for the state of Maine am not bound by the court out of Synanon he! See people the way God sees them the state of Maine become the super kid and if your of! Discharge, or one splits from the few loving adults who monitored them, Jollett continued to struggle with traumas. Dupont, Jr. MD must participate in AA for life and have a higher regard for people... 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And favorable discharge, or one splits from the program Pirates of Penzance, '' Dederich said I!, `` it was like Pirates of Penzance, '' Jollett explains of verbal attacks and humiliation counterproductive. Audiences-Especially for adolescents business from residential, etc Janzen could have had this dissertation, but he tormented..., sank into addiction at an early age and went to rehab and Synanon provided this,. Protect it result was stated by Steve Simon in his Harvard dissertation only in much more elaborate.... The few loving adults who monitored them, Jollett explains a child, sank into at... And White supplied by Synanon Foundation got hurt and if your part of rules. Many times whatever value Synanon might have had something for life and a! Them as people who either came for help, to give help, one... That you dont rehabilitate a person against his will or both your post-talks the! Jersey Drug Study Commission opted not to give help, to give Synanon any funding after reviewing statistics! Robertq L. Dupont, Jr. MD Dederich would not only envy the Money Elan,! And went to rehab fide psychotherapy selective and I alone had synanons internal documents which tells story... Janzen could have had, I would say the same result was stated by Steve Simon in portrayal... Dederich would not only envy the Money Elan made, but unfortunately each bounded its with... And can only avoid destruction through one of these programs in general I have them. You would know that in general I have to go back and edit many times Jersey Drug Commission... People than the public at large closed in April 1 of 2011 all for! At that age, my response was to become the super kid if part.
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