News / Education
The Narconon Rehab Program Delivers International Drug Education
Arizona, 1968, Narconon founder William Benitez delivers possibly the first Narconon drug education lecture.
When people hear the term drug education, they might relate it to a medical professional, teacher, or authority figure, who might not be a former addict, and who could be using scare tactics to convince people drugs are bad. Drug education has evolved over the years from the old black and white film strips to the live presentations seen today. The Narconon drug rehab program has contributed to some of this evolution of drug education over the years, and has been delivering drug education on a international level.
In fact, Narconon Trois-Rivieres was made aware of an original drug education lecture delivered by the founder of the Narconon program, William Benitez. In 1968, just two months after being released from prison, Mr. Benitez talked to an Arizona high school about narcotic addiction. This presentation could very well have been one of the first drug education lectures in Narconon history. Mr. Benitez delivered a very effective lecture, because he was able to relate to his own experience of being a former heroin addict of 19 years, and a three time convicted felon due to his drug addiction.
This powerful message could really have gotten across to all the students attending the lecture. From his own experiences, he was able to tell real life stories of what it was like, and what it took to overcome a lifetime of addiction. From the first time he was introduced to heroin at 15 years old, to the time he rehabilitated himself, and started a program that has saved thousands of lives to this day.
Mr. Benitez started something that has grown on a international level. If anybody has ever had any doubts about overcoming addiction, this is a story to read about, and a video to watch.
(First Narconon therapy group, 1966)
William Benitez started an idea of drug education, which has been developed into one of the most successful drug education program presented today. The presentations given by Narconon drug education specialists today have been responsible in preventing millions of people from entering drug or alcohol addiction. This achievement alone has well surpassed what Mr. Benitez could have ever possibly predicted. His legacy has been carried on by over 150 different Narconon centers world wide, and it is only fitting that the whole world views a major piece of Narconon history.
© 2009 Narconon Trois-Rivières. All Rights Reserved.
NARCONON is a trademark and service mark owned by Association for Better Living and Education and is used with its permission.
