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Narconon Arrowhead Legislation Planned

After four deaths linked to a drug treatment facility with ties to the
Church of Scientology, a Senator plans to take action. Fox 25 first told
you about Narconon Arrowhead in May. Now the facility has inspired a
Senator to draft legislation. The center, which is based in the town of
Canadian, has also sparked national interest.

Senator Tom
Ivester says he plans to work with officials at the Department of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services to author legislation. Ivester says
his legislation will be aimed at "regulating questionable practices of a
drug treatment program with close ties to the Church of Scientology."

"There's
definitely issues when you've got people dying," said Senator Tom
Ivester. "Three deaths within nine months. There's something wrong."

In
July, Stacy Murphy became the third person to die at Narconon Arrowhead
within a nine month period. Police found Murphy's body in her bed at
the center.

Marisa Mendelson, Fox 25 News: "Do you think her death could have been prevented?"
Robert Murphy: "Oh. Without a doubt. Absolutely."

Stacy Murphy's father, Robert Murphy still wants answers after his daughter's death.

"There
are people that need help and they need a place to go," said Murphy
during an interview with Fox 25 in July.  "A safe place to go. This
place is not safe."

Gabriel Graves and Hillary Holten also died at the facility.

"It needs to be addressed," said Senator Ivester. "It needs to be addressed quickly."

Now
State Senator Tom Ivester plans to write legislation aimed against what
he called unorthodox treatment programs, like the one at Narconon
Arrowhead.

"Number one, we want to make sure that they're
providing safe treatment if they're going to continue to be able to
treat patients at all," said Senator Ivester. "And second of all, we
want to make sure that it's transparent and open that they're a
legitimate treatment facility and not a mask for something else."

According
to court documents, Kaysie Werninck died at a hospital after being at
Narconon Arrowhead around a month. Her family sued the facility. That
case settled before going to trial.

"The claim was that the
responsible Narconon personnel ignored Kaysie's worsening condition and
gave her the wrong prescription medication," said Mike Atkinson, the
Attorney for Werninck's family.

"With the recent deaths and the
track record they've had with the different lawsuits of negligence
posted against them, it just doesn't smell right," said Senator Ivester.
"And you know, where there's smoke, there's fire. And we definitely
need to do something."

Senator Ivester has until February to file his legislation.

The
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health is currently investigating
Narconon Arrowhead. The Pittsburg County District Attorney is also
investigating the facility. It is still deciding whether or not criminal
charges will be filed against the facility for the death of Stacy
Murphy. However, it is still waiting for the Pittsburg County Sheriff's
Office to turn over the results of its investigation. It is also waiting
for the Medical Examiner's Office to release its toxicology report from
Stacy Murphy's death.

Fox 25 contacted Narconon Arrowhead for a statement. We are still waiting to hear back.

MARISA MENDELSON
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
MLMENDELSON@OKCFOX.COMNarconon Arrowhead Legislation Planned

Posted: Friday, August 17 2012, 10:10 PM CDT