An addiction support charity accused of subjecting vulnerable people to psychological drills is being looked into by the Charity Commission.
This comes after an Observer investigation on the alleged practices at a facility run by drug rehabilitation charity Narconon UK in Heathfield, Sussex.
Narconon UK described the newspaper allegations as inaccurate and that it had provided information to the Commission.
The regulator said it had opened a compliance case following concerns raised in the press.
Newspaper investigation
The Observer nine-month investigation uncovered allegations of safeguarding failings and psychological abuse at the charity.
It reported that the charity was launched in the US in 1966, and its residential programme is based on a belief of L Ron Hubbard, Scientology’s founder, that toxic drug residues lodge in the body and create a “biochemical barrier to spiritual wellbeing”.
Former patients and staff reportedly told the newspaper that people were put through mental exercise “drills” that left people “broken” and “traumatised”, similar to methods used in Scientology’s “auditing” process.
Narconon UK told the Observer that the allegations were “inaccurate, misleading and thoroughly distorted”, adding that its approach required discipline and was “mentally strenuous” but denied it was harmful.
The Observer reported that the charity denied downplaying its connection to Scientology, saying it was open about its link to Hubbard.
Manager: Reports are misleading
Narconon UK’s manager Sheila Maclean told Civil Society that the Observer articles were “shoddy, partial and lazy journalism” that included no visit to the charity’s site.
“The approach adopted by the reporter lacked any objectivity, fairness, or integrity. It was designed to deliberately mislead readers regarding the charity, and the proven effectiveness and safety of the programme it delivers,” she said.
“The reporter failed to have regard to the traumatic nature of any drug rehabilitation programme – where substance misusers have to wean themselves off the drugs which are literally destroying their lives.
“The articles’ sensationalised headlines might be applied to the typical experience of many substance misusers going through the demanding process of withdrawal in any other rehab centre – but in the case of Narconon paint a profoundly false picture, because the most frequent report from persons who have experienced other programmes before Narconon is that Narconon was by far the least traumatic that they had experienced.
“The Charity Commission requested a meeting with us to discuss the article and we have provided them with the accurate and fair information.”
Compliance case
The Commission said it had opened a compliance case into Narconon UK following concerns raised in the press.
“We are currently engaging with the trustees,” a Commission spokesperson said.
“A charity should be a safe and trusted environment. As regulator, we are clear that keeping people safe should be a priority for all charities.”
The Commission said its focus would be on the conduct of trustees and the steps they take to protect beneficiaries, employees, volunteers and others who come into contact with the charity through its work.
It said it is not responsible for dealing with incidents of actual abuse or harm, does not administer safeguarding legislation and cannot prosecute or bring criminal proceedings, nor does it regulate the provision of charities’ services.
Narconon UK reported an income of £160,000 in 2021. The charity’s reporting for 2022 is overdue by 140 days, according to the Commission website.
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