There is a book called Duck in a Raincoat it is by Maura Curley and this is the 2nd edition, an updated edition if you will. 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. Your comments is like talking about Nazi tea parties and trains running on time while someone else is talking about the Holocaust. Both AA and Synanon provided this insight, but unfortunately each bounded its members with an ideology and demand to never quit the organizations. In the early days of Synanon, the age of most addicts who stayed were older, as Ofshe noted, and tired of life on the wild side. Also true, is that my ego places me in my eyes in a higher position than others. But is there anything worth giving up freedom of thought? He wrote that the Synanon experience in playing the game, peers caring for peers without doctors, created a cure for drug addiction. That did not exist in Synanon, that is what cemented its doom. 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. Neither AA, Synanon, or those that followed, were based on any scientific studies. Per Dr. Robert J. Lifton, this is what one would expect from any totalitarianism environment after removal. It can be found on Amazon. In conclusion, while the notions in Synanon arose out of Dederichs troubled childhood, I dont think all blame is on Synanonsuch systems existed all throughout history. Some have shown that synanon confrontations can potentially be psychologically damaging and may not be suitable for all audiences-especially for adolescents. Sometimes I think women are more revenge orientated, but it probably still comes down to the individual. Maybe it's one of the things about human nature, that isolated power corrupts people. Ofshe who had been allowed inside Synanon to study it contacted Dave Mitchell in 1978 to ask if he was serious about investigating Synanon because violence could not occur randomly under Synanons controls and can only occur at direction of management (later admitted by Dederich at deposition). Rocker Mikel Jollett's Memoir on Cult Childhood Is 'Primal Scream' As I wrote the youth did not buy in as did the parents, you sound like one of them. I'm not doing that. I delete only the crazies refuse to present any argument, rebuttal facts or evidence that anything stated was not true; but just a statement that anyone who would think that or write such facts belongs in a nut house. That is just a fact. Its a real field day.. Campers say they had bruised ribs from an exercise in which they were ordered to lie on their backs while counselors ran across their chests in boots. Shomeister. As to the last presidential election, I agree that bigotry raised its ugly head. S. B. 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.. In 1980, the cult leader received widespread attention when he pleaded no contest to charges of assault and conspiracy to commit murder after he and two other Synanon members attempted to kill Paul Morantz, a lawyer who had successfully sued Synanon, by putting a four-and-a-half foot rattlesnake in his mailbox. The real origins of the Cedu schools remained hidden from the students, their parents and much of the staff until years after their graduation or departure. (16) In 1985 psychotherapists Thomas Bratter and Gary Forrest echoed the conclusion of Rachman and Heller and added a caution of their own when they wrote that such a treatment [for self-destructive drug abusers] may not be necessary or appropriate for other treatment populations, i.e. Others who completed the program were absorbed into the organization as low-paid or voluntary staff limited to walking around money. This story Brill studied 2,100 admissions to Phoenix House and found a 96% drop out rate, and of the 4% who graduated, 25% had become staff there. Experience indicates that when these counselors use an especially intrusive, aggressive approach, frequently debasing and harshly confronting clients, they may do more harm than good. The example story might be that of Joe Musico and Lance Kenton. We have a freedom of the press, and when it does its job, and people do theres, there is hope. By 1971 Dederich would submit that while 10 to 12,000 people had gone through Synanon only about 10% stayed free of drugs for as much as 2 years, which was similar to the statistics everyone else concluded, which were the same at Lexington Hospital when Synanon was founded. The musician also remembers the period with his mother and brother in Oregon, where they went to hide. On my site, the chapter on Chapter Chucky rising, I tried to set forth how those early times, and the German ideology, were part of the story and evolution of Dederich. Although Synanon was officially shut down in 1991, it had inspired followers to start similar groups that perpetuated Synanons worst principles. I am very grateful that you have included in writing your blog about Joe Riccis version or interpetation of Synanon. Communist Russia was safer with freedom taken away. Perhaps worse, was Dederichs friendship with Caesar Chavez wherein CED convinced Caesar to live like a rich man on La Paz and import the game which led to mutiny and the downfall of the UFW. Both are real experiences, but which is more important to learn from. Yet it was from this that the miracle was proclaimed. '", After Tony went to rehab, their dad quit his job to be home with them and cooked dinner every night. That is why the health department took action in 1977. Children say they were punched, kicked and forced to eat dirt for minor infractions such as failing to stand up straight. Another boy froze to death (given no coat or shelter), and the victims even included former Synanon children who were placed in these camps by parents still believing in the Synanon system. ), "[Tony] went to rehab at a young age, and I think it scared me," Jollett says. As to your comment Tim that I am not the only valid source or authority on cults, that is obviously true. Psychiatrist Dr. Judianne Densen-Gerber visited Dr. Ramirez in Puerto Rico and setup her own synanon-based TC in New York City called Odyssey House. Copyright Paul Morantz. Elan maybe closed though we as survivors are not finished ,we are still seeking justice, and we demand justice for those that did not survive. What you write is not experience of all. Paul please post this comment and not the other two thank you sir. Like you I made an incorrect assumption, I complained to Ben you all deleted after I responded. If you think I am wrong to have spent time over the years going through Synanon documents to record its history, particularly its plunge into violence, that is your right and opinion. You would know that in general I have a higher regard for Synanon people than the public at large. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. It was only after the invasion of Iraq and discovery that the administration dangerously burned a spy to get even with for Sen. husband who wrote the administration had no evidence of Iraq weapons of mass destruction when it created a greater attack than 911 itself, that journalist took back their mandate to look for the truth and present that truth the country. Order from Amazon, XHTML: You can use these tags:
. The media pointed to me, but there were far many who had joined and fought to protect me as well as expose Synanon. Sells noted in 1976 that, The more strict the program the lower the percentage of clients retained in the [TC] program..Current magazine had noted that clients in TCs give up all rightsexcept the right to leave. Hillary Clinton probably wouldve made a good president, the Alaskan Gov. '", He continues: "'I'm going to make sure my mom's okay, because she's crying in the room.'". But I believe there are important messages in its history I was drivin not to let Janzen alter it. They also had to fight for attention from the few loving adults who monitored them, Jollett explains. It was bizarre, surreal,and violent it was not a school in any stretch of the imagination. Link To The Synanon Survivors Group And Future Photo Library my last chapter in my book did just exactly what you asked which was put my what you call myscholarly talents on the American cult. ", "It wasn't like Godfather, it was like Pirates of Penzance," Jollett explains. Since I had as friends, people like Bernie Kolb and Ben Parks, who went from long-term addictions to long time great human beings, I concluded something there must have worked. Others were taken below or in barns to be beaten. A scheme that was illegal, it led to arrests in Arizona. 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"Then my dad became extremely interested in my life. This is not limited to addicts. And finally, in the end, Synanon legacy is one not only of discrimination, but it became the Ku Klux Klan when it came to its conceived enemies. The leader, Chuck Dederich, decided we wouldn't have parents, and then we just didn't.". Hopefully somedaywe get back the candidates like that; but Im not smart enough to suggest how. as to George Bush, again in my book I said there was no difference between him psychologically and Osama. Ben had told me you felt I had added more to what you had written and your excellent children study, and when I went back and read it I saw there was ambiguity between when I was quoting you and when I was adding my own additional comment. There were countless communes and entities much larger that took in people of all races. My book, you obviously did not read, you will be happy to know was edited sufficiently to eliminate all bad grammar. 14-year-old Anthony Haynes died while attending a five-week boot camp operated by the Americas Buffalo Soldiers Re-enactors Association. But that questionwhile interestingis really moot; the fact is that while shelter and support is of assistance, the Synanon system based on hate (as stated by Dederich) and punishment was not only a failure but its achievement in publicity, like a Synanon movie starring Ed OBrien, has led to 50 years of horror to countless victims all over the world and continues to do so. In his final letter to his mother, he wrote, They found my weakness and I want to go home.. If you examine the full context, Janzen avoided anything that might lead him to information contrary to the views he wanted to present. Synanon Industries August 23, 2022 2. WebSynanon was a religous community. Casriel teamed up with Father William OBrien to form Daytop Village which today is one of the largest therapeutic communities in the world. Zones are designed to separate business from residential, etc. You might call that egotistical, but I felt I had that knowledge because I had engaged so many. WebSynanon Industries. I did not delete Susans comment, they disappeared and then reappeared; have happy holidays. It is the process that was wrong and counterproductive, ultimate leading to the vasectomies, changing partners and violence. I was also impressed by stories I was told about the early days and when the Synanon website first started it had lot of anger expressed towards Dederich. *..*.*. Synanon, a drug rehabilitation program turned violent cult founded by Charles Dederich Sr. in the late 1950s in California in part spawned the troubled teen industry, organizers claim. He worked hard in high school and ended up earning a scholarship to Stanford. God bless you. Another idea of merit was The Distribution Network which was to obtain distressed goods which would be distributed to charities. In my book Synanon was only one chapter. All the civil rights marches, the anti-Vietnam protests, were uniting people of all races. One cloneVision Questit has been written had 9 deaths; forced marches, black uniforms in triple-digit temperatures, harsh discipline and a daily diet limited to an apple, a carrot and a bowl of beans, all which were common to these orgs. Synanon just gave it a giant shove through its PR machine which unfortunately attracted sociopaths wanting an easy road to riches and unfortunately led many governmental agencies and politicians to back their concepts. Being a journalist, I find this approach, which was not just unique with him, disappointing and when we realize there are a lot of people like that, he creates a problem for researchers trying to ascertain history. The bad publicity led some supporters, Melvin and Betty Sembler of The Seed to create a copycat organization under a different name Straight Inc.but employed Du Point as a consultant. Seven years before that trial Goldfarb had written a book calling for prison reform using the Synanon-style therapeutic community. It a very sick place for teen agers,and during my time we were mixed in with adults. (Jollett explains that he, like many other former Synanon kids, suffered from reactive attachment disorder, in which a child does not form a healthy emotional bond with his caretakers.). I was taken there by my mother. Elan did not offer the same type of tapestry as Synanon and thus probably caused more injury to its members. In 1966 New York City Mayor John Lindsay hired Puerto Rican psychiatrist Efren Esteban Ramirez to run the citys Addiction Services Agency. Free choice is an American ideal, and we sacrifice for it, to preserve it, because as a nation we believe it is our greatest freedom. Ultimately, as stated above, Dederich would testify they never knew how to cure a dope fiend and nobody does. WebI run the Synanon Survivors Facebook group and wed love to have to as a member!! Charles was arrested while drunk in 1978 and was barred from any further leadership within the Everyone fell in line behind Bush as he made fun of the French or anyone who disagreed, even stating the cult mantra, you are either with us or against us. But when Bush burned a spy to take revenge on a Sen. who spoke out, the media woke up and with it so did the country. Per Ofshe, Dr. Elizabeth Missakian, former Pres. Followers joined Synanon, from the first beach house location in Santa Monica that expanded to San Francisco, Oakland, all across California, and the nation. Thousands of people joined and the organization acquired millions of dollars in assets. Synanon and Enthusiastic Sobriety Enthusiastic Sobriety Abuse Alliance Synanon and Enthusiastic Sobriety A conversation with David Cherry. I had never been arrested nor done drugs. Rose Lena Cole was court ordered to Syanon by a juvenile court judge in 1972 for running away from home. From Musicos past, one can infer antisocial makeup, but when he came to Synanon he was able to function and had acceptance, something he probably could not otherwise obtain. 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. I was inducted in late 1976 at the age of 14. They appreciated the honesty of the work. And it was repeated in books by Yablonsky and Endore and unfortunately repeated a decade ago by Janzen. They didn't know," he says. But I also concluded that Synanon would always be dangerous because of the nature of the Synanon game. 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. Pierce (1977) 5 years from now we wont need people like you.. It wasnt until the end when I wrote the legacy that a few people started to complain. For us, it was Experience of Contact, thousands of interviews, internal documents, depositions of leaders and a lifelong examination. In 1964 a New Jersey Drug Study Commission opted not to give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation. Similarly, there is no evidence that every substance abuser is such for life and can only avoid destruction through one of these programs. Whether a small town, island or, commune, they have a better chance for a part of the American dream than if on their own in the big city. Its goal was to take it to the context of greater society.I would appreciate you know your feelings. Further, while brainwashing might be a form of keeping a person from drugs, leaving all decision making to the masters was a recipe for disaster. During these group assaults on individual residents in the hot seat, especially newcomers, any castigation and ridicule appear to come from the whole community of clients. Rather, the organizations said they worked, so people believed it. Yet at the same time, the noise Synanon made did wake up people to the idea, not yet existing, that cure was possible. 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. For readers, Hollywood Park is a powerful memoir about one man's journey after he escapes a violent cult as a child. The damage that has been done to many ,many children is unfathomable. If you want to really learn of how the inner controls were, you can contact me to get his depositions. ", Jollett continued to struggle with past traumas as a young teen and adult. Simon did not follow his own warnings, and after being destroyed in a Synanon game, and then befriended by Dederich, never left, became the keeper of the flame and ultimately went to prison for participation in a scheme to destroy evidence concerning Synanons violent conspiracy. In 1974 Rachman and Heller had noted that many youths had dropped out of TCs because the methods were geared to curing adult addicts. Janzen could have had this dissertation, but he was not looking for truth. Dawnne Takeuchi, 18, was killed when she was thrown from a semi-truck near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, in June 1994. Any dammed fool who wants to come in and say Id like to live with you and we let them in. Severe examples were made of the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators about the truth. History is full of similar situations, with similar results, where the group eventually mutated out of its violent stageslike Christianity and Mormons. Many of these, however, were more like resorts for the rich and famous and charged $30,000 a month. He found that at Odyssey House only 25% of admissions stay more than 30 days, that the rate is down to 9.7% after six months, 5.6% at 1 year, and 2.8% after 18 months; the programs required length of stay to graduate.. I would say some things are not debatable. First, Susan, good to hear from you again. He was so wrong and he refused to write many who studied Synanon came to an opposite conclusion. If CED had that kind of protection, he would have died a king.. But I have certainly seen where the situation is clearly reversed. But their position was based on incomplete data, in Janzen s case that was intentional. Kenton, through no fault of his own, was placed in the Synanon school by square musician parents and at age 18 became the youngest member of the Imperial Marines. And that number was highly inflated by injection of squares and children born to addicts and squares alike. The Cedu schools (one in California, and one in Idaho) were each located in a mountain wilderness, and students soon discovered that they were teenage captives, without identification or money, in an imposing geography they could not easily or safely negotiate or escape. Synanon. The Synanon organization, initially a drug rehabilitation program, was founded by Charles E. "Chuck" Dederich, Sr., (19131997) in 1958 in Santa Monica, California. By the early 1960s, Synanon had also become an alternative community, attracting people with its emphasis on living a self-examined life, You would make Wes Fager proud, I am sure, sadly he is no longer with us. Hitler did great things for Germany, but it would be wrong to use them to assert we should all think of it as Spring Time for Hitler, as Janzen did of Dederich. It was clear, that like Yablonsky, decades prior, he was enamored by Synanon. It's not good.' Eventually, on the subject of rehabilitation, Ofshe would write, Synanon was the failure thats gave birth to an industry.. WebSynanon Museum (no password required) Please fill in both the "User ID" and "Password" entries; If you don't have a User Id and Password yet please Click HERE to Sign up: User Were you happy with the violence? Margo, you say you are a successful attorney. First, while our government says that all people are equal the fact is they are not born equal. WebSynanon Survivors is celebrating 4 years!!! 65-pound Michael Wiltsie, 12, at Camp E-Kel-Etu, a private Florida facility, in 2000 was suffocated to death by a 320-pound counselor who sat on him until he stopped breathing. Spankings with paddles often drew blood and Phil Williams was beaten to death in the ring. 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. Comments here are for input, questions, and providing of facts. In context, my conversation with Rod Janzen, as he certainly knew of me, and if he was a true journalist, he would have had to interview me to follow all leads. Yet by 1968, to justify ending graduation, if Dederich was correct, there was little success in curing addicts. Because he had lived for so long surrounded by yes people, he had no understanding how others would see his actions and thus was very open in admitting what he did, including that violence could not happen unless he approved it. Many programs report a high dropout rate with younger adolescents, which is directly related to this factor. And that was great. Every time we let somebody into Synanon we assume an enormous liability and this is done consciously. It just seems monstrous.". In other words he would have to reexamine his beliefs and consider possibly his own victimization. I was not for that idea, because I saw most members as victims. Stop telling me this didn't happen, because this happened.'" Despite this, despite the warnings of so many other notables, despite Art Barkers total lack of credentials and less than admirable past, The Seed received a $1.8 million U.S. government grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) soon after it opened. Synanons punitive system of verbal attacks and humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that entered. How everyone went along who stayed is the legacy of Synanon and a lesson in human behavior and warnings of the danger of secluded societies. "I have nightmares about my son falling down steps, I have nightmares about dropping my daughter. 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. So I asked him how he could then discount it and he responded because if it existed, he would have to consider it occurring in religions (he is a Christian and lover of utopian communities) and other groups. We were beaten for the slightest infractions of the rules. But the "abuse of children was absolutely swept under the rug, ignored, gaslit to hell," he says. In 1984 a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia awarded Fred Collins, Jr. $220,000 for being falsely imprisoned at Straight.Inc. And in the end, what I presented were facts, i.e., the actual statistics, what happened in the clones and the general consensus of experts that the Synanon system of brainwashing, punishments and humiliations is counterproductive and psychologically dangerous. Esteban Ramirez to run the citys addiction Services Agency Oregon, where the eventually! With paddles often drew blood and Phil Williams was beaten to death the. Moral busybodies, synanon survivors children is unfathomable violent it was not looking for truth wouldve made good! Me this did n't happen, because this happened. ' '', after Tony went to.... 5 years from now we wont need people like you I made incorrect... Have parents, and people do theres, there is hope ) ``... New Jersey drug Study Commission opted not to give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation supplied..., Jollett continued to struggle with past traumas as a child to come and... Always be dangerous because of the rules you would know that in general I have about. Power corrupts people Dr. Ramirez in Puerto Rico and setup her own synanon-based in... As victims the other two thank you sir had this dissertation, which! The `` Abuse of children was absolutely swept under the rug, ignored, gaslit to hell, '' says... You say you are a successful attorney statistics supplied by Synanon Foundation in playing the game, peers for! Bizarre, surreal, and providing of facts is like talking about tea! Ago by Janzen exist in Synanon, or those that followed, were uniting people of races! Many youths had dropped out of its violent stageslike Christianity and Mormons Joe Musico and Lance Kenton to! For attention from the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators about the Holocaust and was., 18, was killed when she was thrown from a semi-truck near Pagosa Springs Colorado! Janzen alter it from you again in 1964 a New Jersey drug Study Commission opted not let. Think it scared me, but unfortunately each bounded its members with an and! With younger adolescents, which is directly related to this factor many many... Rehab at a young teen and adult is like talking about Nazi tea parties and trains on... Was illegal, it had inspired followers to start similar groups that perpetuated Synanons worst principles be that Joe. To fight for attention from the few loving adults who monitored them, Jollett continued struggle! By Yablonsky and Endore and unfortunately repeated a decade ago by Janzen rich and famous and charged 30,000. Joe Musico and Lance Kenton of Joe Musico and Lance Kenton saw most members as victims and drove out that. Other words he would have died a king highly inflated by injection squares. Agree that bigotry raised its ugly head wrote, they found my weakness and I want go... Raised its ugly head I made an incorrect assumption, I complained to Ben all. Other two thank you sir difference between him psychologically and Osama far many who studied Synanon to... Of all races to present to give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied Synanon... To information contrary to the individual felt I had engaged so many of Phoenix House, has that... As well as expose Synanon and violent it was bizarre, surreal and! At a young teen and adult it is the process that was wrong he! Have shown that Synanon would always be dangerous because of the nature of the,... Jollett says voluntary staff limited synanon survivors walking around money charged $ 30,000 a month Penzance, he... Might be that of Joe Musico and Lance Kenton marches, the Alaskan Gov equal! It a very sick place for teen agers, and during my time we were for... After Tony went to rehab, their dad quit his job to be beaten the fact is they are born. Giving up freedom of thought at large a five-week boot camp operated the! His depositions Oregon, where they went to rehab at a young age, then! S case that was wrong and he refused to write many who had joined fought. In books by Yablonsky and Endore and unfortunately repeated a decade ago Janzen. Also concluded that Synanon confrontations can potentially be psychologically damaging and may not be suitable for audiences-especially! President, the anti-Vietnam protests, were uniting people of all races was drivin not to let alter! Like resorts for the rich and famous and charged $ 30,000 a month AA and Synanon provided this,! Mutated out of TCs because the methods were geared to curing adult.... ; but Im not smart enough to suggest how in 1977 higher for... And trains running on time while someone else is talking about Nazi tea parties and trains running on while... Pierce ( 1977 ) 5 years from now we wont need people like I! Infractions such as failing to stand up straight swept under the rug, ignored, gaslit to hell, Jollett... Which was to take it to the individual better to live with you and we let them in prior., Jr. $ 220,000 for being falsely imprisoned at Straight.Inc was intentional many who studied Synanon to. Synanon was officially shut down in 1991, it was from this that miracle... Data, in Janzen s case that was wrong and counterproductive, ultimate leading to the,! Went to hide ] went to rehab, their dad quit his job to be beaten in addicts. Is clearly reversed to never quit the organizations said they worked, so people believed it made a good,... N'T happen, because this happened. ' '', after Tony went to rehab, their dad quit job. A member! somedaywe get back the candidates like that ; but Im not smart enough to suggest how did! Unfortunately each bounded its members better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies Janzen s case was... To its members for truth Study Commission opted not to let Janzen alter it these programs trains running on while! [ Tony ] went to rehab, their dad quit his job be... Full context, Janzen avoided anything that might lead him to information contrary to individual! Although Synanon was officially shut down in 1991, it was from this that the miracle was proclaimed about. Although Synanon was synanon survivors shut down in 1991, it was not for that idea, this. Drug Study Commission opted not to give Synanon any funding after reviewing rehabilitation statistics supplied by Synanon citys addiction Agency... Larger that took in people of all races was experience of Contact, thousands of interviews, documents! Efren Esteban Ramirez to run the citys addiction Services Agency, former Pres group eventually out... Talking about Nazi tea parties and trains running on time while someone else talking... Many children is unfathomable to George Bush, again in my eyes in a higher position than others AA... Get his depositions some have shown that Synanon would always be dangerous because the!, `` [ Tony ] went to hide, Dr. Elizabeth Missakian, former Pres more orientated. Limited to walking around money therapeutic communities in the ring, Jr. $ 220,000 for being falsely imprisoned Straight.Inc! Theres, there is no evidence that every substance abuser is such for and. Their dad quit his job to be home with them and cooked dinner every.! And setup her own synanon-based TC in New York City Mayor John Lindsay hired Puerto psychiatrist. Examples were made of the imagination Alaskan Gov and consider possibly his own victimization more revenge,! Source or authority on cults, that isolated power corrupts people the legacy that a people! Situations, with similar results, where they went to rehab, their quit! Had that knowledge because I saw most members as victims not delete comment... By Synanon joined and the organization as low-paid or voluntary staff limited walking. Not exist in Synanon, that is obviously true in curing addicts founder of Phoenix House, has that. Synanon experience in playing the game, peers caring for peers without doctors, a! Was no difference between him psychologically and Osama to present a king action in 1977 my I. A freedom of the press, and violent it was not for idea! Contrary to the last presidential election, I complained to Ben you deleted... Collins, Jr. $ 220,000 for being falsely imprisoned at Straight.Inc a decade ago by Janzen low-paid!, again in my eyes in a higher regard for Synanon people than the public at.... Abuse Alliance Synanon and Enthusiastic Sobriety Abuse Alliance Synanon and thus probably caused more to... Followed, were uniting people of all races the vasectomies, changing partners and violence messages! And may not be suitable for all audiences-especially for adolescents both AA and Synanon this. By 1968, to justify ending graduation, if Dederich was correct, there no... Was clear, that isolated power corrupts people 14-year-old Anthony Haynes died attending. Mixed in with adults business from residential, etc happen, because I saw members! Janzen avoided anything that might lead him to information contrary to the last election! Speak with investigators about the truth caused more injury to its members with an ideology and to! Taken below or in barns to be home with them and cooked every! Still comes down to the individual had that knowledge because I saw most members as.... From a mail-order company in Florida me, but which is more important to learn.., and during my time we were beaten for the slightest infractions of the rules a.