Narconon Latin America Takes on Urgent Drug Rehabilitation Needs of 21 Nations

Pastoral four-acre hacienda opens in Villa Victoria, Mexico, to serve as home to the new Continental Narconon Latin America—eagerly accepting the challenge posed by a region in dire need of effective drug rehabilitation. The opening was made possible by generous contributions from members of the International Association of Scientologists.

The Continental Narconon for Latin America opened its doors wide on Saturday, September 12, in a joyous and passionate celebration in the heart of Mexico attended by hundreds of Narconon supporters, dignitaries and guests, including 150 members of the Mexico State Special Auxiliary Police Force.

This new facility in the town of Villa Victoria, built in 1880 and formerly owned by a world-renowned matador, is designed to deliver the famed Narconon drug rehabilitation methods in a distraction-free setting that is perfectly suited to the needs of those seeking to overcome their addictions and live drug-free lives. Built around an interior courtyard surrounded by classical arcaded walkways, the beauty and serenity of the secluded setting at Narconon Latin America provides students a tranquil and uniquely personal atmosphere.

Narconon Latin America opens her doors in what is a boom period of growth for Narconon’s global network that will effectively deliver the pioneering program based on the discoveries and writings of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. It will also provide training for specialists looking to establish new Narconon centers in cities and towns throughout the 21 nations of Latin America.

The President of the Association for Better Living and Education International (ABLE) officiated at the opening. “This brand new Narconon is a new type of center—a regional center that not only provides rehabilitation services but also trains professionals from the southern tip of Chile and Argentina, to Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia and of course all of Central America and Mexico,” she said. “Drug and alcohol abuse have disastrous effects on society that reach far beyond the individual caught in the grip of addiction. Narconon has a mission—to provide an effective path for rehabilitation from drug abuse and to assist society in preventing the plague of drugs in this region and worldwide. I believe you all share this mission with us.”

Ms. Zuveldia Lizarraga, Executive Director of Narconon Latin America, welcomed those assembled. “We are very proud to present to you this magnificent center,” she said. “With the Narconon program we have tools to not only help Mexico but the whole of Latin America. The Narconon program developed by Mr. L. Ron Hubbard has a success rate second to none. This unique drug-free approach has helped tens of thousands of individuals and families suffering from addiction. Every space of our new center has been designed with our students and trainees in mind. It is all here to service this community and the entire continent.”

Congresswoman Ms. Ana Luisa Valdés spoke of her heartfelt commitment to Narconon, “I was able to establish a government-supported Narconon center to help solve the problems of drugs that beset our society. For over 10 years, my Narconon center has produced success after success in rehabilitating drug addicts. Through Narconon, we are giving an answer to the problem of drugs to a society that does not know what to do about it. Narconon must be promoted on every airwave, by every TV station, on every possible channel. It is my hope that we will have Narconon centers in every city of Latin America.”

Building on the congresswoman’s inspiring speech was Region XIX Police Commander Benjamin Salvador Jimenez, a strong advocate for drug-free living. He stepped to the platform to explain why he is personally honored to welcome Narconon to his country.

“Drugs and delinquency are an ungodly couple,” Commander Jimenez said. He has seen firsthand how the Narconon program can make a difference. “Because a person who is hooked on drugs will usually look for illegal means for a fix, drug addiction ravages our society. Fortunately, there are those who will do everything they can to put a halt to this epidemic. And chief among them is Narconon. When I learned of Narconon, I very quickly saw how Mr. Hubbard had so brilliantly developed a lifesaving program. It gives me great pride that you chose the State of Mexico for this center. I very much hope that this will be the seed from which the Narconon movement will grow, reaching out across all cities in Mexico to every Latin country.”

Representing the city of Villa Victoria, Mr. Napoleon Yañez echoed these sentiments, “It is no secret for anyone that drug consumption is one of the biggest challenges that face any government. Drugs affect youth, adults and people of all levels of society. For that, and for what Narconon stands for, I could not be happier to welcome you to these facilities in Villa Victoria. It is truly a source of pride that an international drug rehabilitation organization such as Narconon, with decades of experience, chose our municipality to establish its headquarters for Latin America.”

And finally, Ms. Rosi Orozco, president of the nongovernmental Commission United Against Human Trafficking and former member of Congress, shared her own passion for the Narconon program and what it means in a country so threatened by drugs at every echelon of society.

“Cartels have increasingly turned to human trafficking as a venue for their criminal earnings, and it is easy to see that it goes hand in glove with drug addiction,” Ms. Orozco emphasized. “One of the biggest frustrations in my line of work is to not have the opportunity to help the girls who are human trafficking victims and also addicted to drugs. Drugs are a means that criminal organizations use to catch their prey. We intend to establish the first shelter for trafficking victims that can also serve as a Narconon rehabilitation center. I know to my core that supporting Narconon is our best chance to break the vicious cycle of drug addiction and trafficking. In short, I know that Narconon is the solution.”

Ms. Orozco is hardly alone in that belief. For nearly 50 years, the Narconon program has saved the lives of countless individuals who were thought lost to substance abuse forever. Its mission is to provide an effective path for drug abuse rehabilitation and to assist society in reversing the scourge of abuse worldwide.

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Narconon addresses those in the program as “students” rather than “addicts” or “victims,” and its sole purpose is to provide people with the tools to lead successful drug-free lives. Every detail is considered to give students the stability and comfort they need to help free them from addiction and rebuild their lives without drugs.

The Narconon program begins with a drug-free, nonmedical withdrawal process designed to assist the individual in shedding a dependence on drugs as rapidly and comfortably as possible. It is followed by a distinctive method of detoxification, specifically geared to help drug users eliminate the residues in the body that drive cravings, while at the same time supporting the body with supplements. The final component of the program is a series of Life Skills Courses that furnish students the tools needed to remain drug-free throughout their lifetime.

Harnessing the power of audiovisual tools to bypass literacy barriers and increase understanding, 23 instructional films in 29 dialects and languages have been created for the various parts of the Narconon program.

This new state-of-the-art Narconon Latin America in Mexico was made possible by generous contributions from members of the International Association of Scientologists. It is the third such center to open in the past week, continuing a monumental phase of growth for the Narconon network. It was preceded by the opening of the Continental Narconon Europe and Narconon United Kingdom on September 5. Opening next is a Narconon facility atop the mountains in Ojai, California, specifically dedicated to providing drug rehabilitation services to artists and leaders in society.

Narconon centers operate today in some 23 countries on six continents. For more information, visit narconon.org.