Gatewood Elementary of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was visited by Niko Bain, a Narconon Arrowhead representative that delivered drug education and prevention lectures. Niko spoke to the students about the true harmful affects of drugs on a person’s mind and body, citing personal stories of being a former addict. Narconon literally means “Narcotics-none” or “no drugs” and has a unique approach to drug prevention that is truly effective.
One of the points of focus was combating the widely spread misinformation about the “positive” uses of drugs. The fact is that most people begin to use drugs because there is an emotional or sometimes physical problem in a person’s life that is causing them considerable discomfort that they do not know how to resolve. With all of the pro-drug and pro-alcohol influences that young people are exposed to today through movies and media, they are more likely to use drugs and alcohol as solutions to these problems. Narconon’s drug education programs help young people to see that they can solve their problems without using drugs, by giving those facts on what drugs actually do and what other alternatives are available. The presentations also educates one on the difference between bad drugs i.e. heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuna, LSD, Ecstasy and other street drugs and drugs that have a proper medical use that can help a person experience a better quality of life when used according to doctors orders. The program also teaches participants that even good drugs if abused or used in an inappropriate manner can be dangerous and harmful.
If you ask someone what the downfall of society is today, “drugs” would be the most widely used answer. It is a proven fact that most major crimes, including rape, murder and robbery, stem from the assailant being under the influence of one drug or another. Oklahoma has what some believe to be the highest number of incarcerated people per capita, no doubt that a large portion of those come from the alarming presence of methamphetamine use and manufacturing. In recent years Oklahoma has ranked in the top five for highest number of prescription drug abuse in the United States as well.
Narconon is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program founded by William Benitez, a former heroin addict, in the Arizona State Penitentiary in 1966. Benetiz based the program on researches of L. Ron Hubbard, who looked into the cause, effect, and possible resolution of many serious social ills including illiteracy, criminality, and alcohol and other drug addiction. Narconon use of this knowledge and methodology is specific to life improvement skills and nutritional therapies that are designed to improve physical health; to develop sound problem identification and solving skills; to heighten one’s comprehension and acceptance of moral values; to build self esteem based on self-responsibility; and to teach an addict how to improve unwanted conditions and behaviors in his or her life.
Much like the rehabilitation program, Narconon’s Education and prevention program provides new, vital information on the subject of drug addiction which helps program participants make right choices in their life. According to Narconon lecturer Niko Bain, “sharing correct information on drugs and alcohol from the unique perspective of someone who has ‘been there’ and experienced the hardships of addiction is something that students can relate to and helps them gain the benefits from the experience. Narconon saved my life and that motivates me to help others avoid the negative consequences of addiction”.
Niko adds, “If I had known the truth about drugs, I never would have chosen to use them. It is such a great opportunity every day as the Drug Education Lecturer for Narconon Arrowhead to get this truth about drugs out to people in a way that is easily understood, and hopefully save some people all the hardships drug use brought me.”
Narconon currently has 45 treatment centers and numerous drug prevention groups world-wide. Narconon Arrowhead is located on the shores of Lake Eufaula in Canadian, OK. To find out more about Narconon Arrowhead and its services call 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.narcononarrowhead.org.
Narconon provides drug education as a for-public-benefit service at no cost. To schedule your FREE Drug Prevention Seminar at your group or school, contact Niko Bain at 918-339-5826.