Narconon Arrowhead Celebrating 25 Years of Saving Lives
On August 18, 2001, the ribbon was cut, and Narconon Arrowhead opened its doors to those seeking our substance abuse treatment program. In celebration of that 25-year milestone, a graduate reunion event was held in Narconon Arrowhead’s auditorium on July 22, 2026.
Present were Donnie Anderson, Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDDC); Oklahoma State Representative Jim Grego; and Hunter Zearley, an aide to the Oklahoma Speaker of the House. Also in attendance were Rev. James McLaughlin and Cleo McLaughlin from the First AME Church in Houston. Cleo had previously been a Narconon Arrowhead staff member for more than 10 years. Several past graduates of the program, along with their families and friends, also attended.
Brett Taylor, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, opened the event and recognized several graduates in attendance: Bobby Newman for being 26 years drug-free; Kris Neeland for 24 years drug-free and 15 years on staff; and Jason Upton for being drug-free and serving as a Narconon staff member for the past 17 years. Brett welcomed all the graduates present and acknowledged the McLaughlins for driving from Houston just to attend the celebration.
Brett spoke about Narconon’s 60-year history, with 34 centers in 16 nations around the world, and recognized Narconon Arrowhead as its model center and international training ground. He noted that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drugs are the number one killer of Americans between the ages of 18 and 45, claiming more lives than murder, suicide, automobile accidents, cancer, and war combined.
Brett continued by highlighting what Narconon Arrowhead has accomplished over the past 25 years, including nearly 5,000 graduates and positively impacting countless family members and loved ones along the way.
He next introduced Oklahoma House Representative Jim Grego, who came to the podium and presented a Citation of Congratulations recognizing Narconon Arrowhead for helping people overcome addiction for the past 25 years and commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Narconon program. Rep. Grego referred to Narconon as “unsung heroes” and said that everyone has a duty to let others know about the program, adding that he intended to do just that.
Next, Bobby Newman, a professional interventionist who has been helping save lives for the past two decades, spoke. Bobby briefly shared the story of how he met the next speaker, Director Donnie Anderson, some 30 years earlier when Bobby was a methamphetamine addict and Mr. Anderson the arresting law enforcement officer. And how they have now linked up in their shared passion to salvage youth and others from drug abuse.
“25 years of drug recovery services with the Great State of Oklahoma. Thank you for your support and assistance in working in conjunction with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
and Dangerous Drugs Control.”
Director Anderson delivered an impassioned speech about how Narconon saves lives, expressed the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics' pride in partnering with Narconon, and emphasized the importance of making both the public and state officials more aware of the program. He then presented Narconon Arrowhead with a recognition from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control honoring its “25 years of drug recovery services with the Great State of Oklahoma. Thank you for your support and assistance in working in conjunction with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.”
The Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead then introduced Bret Aicher, who graduated from the program nearly one year ago and has since joined the staff. Bret came to the podium and delivered a deeply emotional speech about his success on the Narconon program. Bret spoke about his loving family, his life before coming to Narconon, and his journey through the program. He also thanked each of his parents and grandparents, who had traveled from Arkansas to attend the celebration.
The next graduate to speak was Hank Miller, a former crack addict who completed the Narconon program in 2007. He spoke about his journey and how the Narconon program set him on the right course in life. As it turned out, the day of the event—July 22—was the 19th anniversary of the day he first arrived at Narconon Arrowhead seeking the help that transformed his life.
Hank was followed by Saundra Howell, who shared how she became addicted to methamphetamine, lost custody of her children, and eventually reached the lowest point in her life before coming to Narconon Arrowhead in 2021 after unsuccessful experiences at other rehabilitation programs. She explained how the Narconon program changed her life, how she regained custody of her children not long after completing the program, and how well she is doing today.
The event concluded with a panel discussion headed by long-term graduates of the Narconon program who shared their experiences and answered the many in-depth questions from the audience about their journey through this drug treatment program to a drug-free and sober life.
If you would like more information about our effective and unique drug rehabilitation and prevention program, contact us.