WebSynanon Industries. Ego had nothing to do with that comment. Please buy the book. By the mid-80s Straight was operating in seven states. In my opinion Elan operated as a continueing criminal enterprise for close to forty years. Also, if a person made that choice sincerely, that person may have a better chance of succeeding in an environment with supporting persons and ex-addicts urging of them on while removing competing problems of how to support themselvessuch as a housing, friends and a job. (He considers his dad's partner, Bonnie, his mother. Survivors of Residential Treatment Centers (RTC) WWASP Fighters. And that you should try to see people the way God sees them. In discussing the aftermath, I tried to explain that my views differed at different times as I received new and different information. . "Whose fault is it? Rose Lena Cole was court ordered to Syanon by a juvenile court judge in 1972 for running away from home. The robber barons cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience., *..*.*. 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. Thats why I wrote the history of Synanon because there is so much to learn. (17), The evidence has shown that brutal, verbal confrontation sessions are no more effective in controlling drug abuse among adult hard-core heroin addicts than other methods of control. When she finally was rescued by a grandmother, the organization was fortunately wiped out by the resulting civil judgment for damages. Elan was known of using such standards as haircut, pull- up, the game and humiliating signs; but added a boxing ring for resisters to be plummeted by bigger guys until a bloody confession was extracted, regardless of its truth. One feature of Seed was the Spanking Machine where a childs father must publicly whip his kid before the large peer Group. And of course, this was what was best in early Synanon, i.e., peers to talk to and help if the craving starts; also support when kicking cold turkey, food and a roof. How all of this occurred is set forth in the first book So Fair a House by Dr. Casriel. Studies found that Synanons encounter groups could produce lasting psychological harm and that only 10 to 15 percent of the addicts who participated in them recovered. (Joe Ricci was a former Daytop student who went on to found his own program for troubled youth in Maine called Elansee below.) But nobody, especially Dr. Rogers, ever imagined children sitting in one continuous synanon 12 hours a day, 5 days a week for several yearswith 200 kids screaming and spitting at him, where the child could not verbally defend himself against his indicters, where he would be beaten and physically restrained, and, most importantly, where he could not leavenamely Straight, Inc. In other words Straight took a program that had been designed (and poorly so) to control hard-core adult heroin addicts and used it to control kids who had experimented with pot and alcoholsometimes worse, but sometimes no drugs at all. 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. By the 60s the Los Angeles school system had schools (not all) already well integrated and taught anti-bigotry. Where you at synanon in 1972-1973? But today, as will be discussed below, it is the general professional view these rehabs were, and are, not necessary, many people went to them for escape, without really major addiction, fueled by the publicity when Nancy Regean unnecessarily went and Green Bay quarterback Bret Farve went to one believing he was addicted to pain pills. Its a calculated risk. One either plays the game and is rewarded with privilege and favorable discharge, or one splits from the program. And they didn't do that.". We let, we let crazy people into the door and we dont discriminate. I offered the information to Janzen and he didnt want it. This issue obviously needs further elaboration and research, but there are suggestions that there are age limits below which this form of treatment is contraindicated. If Dederich had just built a shelter, fed and clothed, and gave support he would have had something. Prove that all the Synanon documents directing kidnappings, beatings and murder did not exist. Her alleged crimepetty theft. Some people, whether from genes or experiences, or combinations thereof, just are not capable of living a good life on their own. 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. But Farve had the money so he could be self indulgent. I gave you a ring and was most pleasantly surprised that you answered. Further, Yablonsky married a Synanon woman and admitted he felt any attack on Synanon was an attack on her. I don't know. Dr. Jerome Jaffe, the first White House Drug Czar, had written the foreward to Dr. Meyers book which had called for caution in the use of synanon-style screaming matches against kids. . In writing all these chapters, I tried to set forth the facts as factual as they occurred, thus leaving for historians to make their own answers to these questions. Many programs report a high dropout rate with younger adolescents, which is directly related to this factor. Also true, is that my ego places me in my eyes in a higher position than others. TTI Survivor - Leviah Rose. But I wrote my book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults with the view of writing the only book anyone need read on the subject. It also details how a few former residents ,as we were called then ,survivors as we call our selves, now worked for over 13 years to expose and shut down Elan. Hopefully somedaywe get back the candidates like that; but Im not smart enough to suggest how. they were supposed to be about love, while men were about war. **, Guy Endores book, Synanon, noted ex-members very early complained that Dederich had forced out the original Board of Directors and replaced them with hand picked trained seals. In law, lawyers too much use the technique of attacking opposing counsel when they cannot attack the facts. But I believe there are important messages in its history I was drivin not to let Janzen alter it. And back is my reply to you. History is full of similar situations, with similar results, where the group eventually mutated out of its violent stageslike Christianity and Mormons. In his final letter to his mother, he wrote, They found my weakness and I want to go home.. Bringing Luis Home September 26, 2022 10. Or a person could just stop. Unlike Janzen, I was not looking for fans from any groups, but to record the knowledge I obtained so it might benefit others, as well as presenting an interesting read. Janzen could have had this dissertation, but he was not looking for truth. As stated in the Skeptics Dictionary, law enforcement officials, politicians and religious leaders helped push those fearing addiction to what it determined was primarily rackets designed to make money with little regard for human well-being (like Elan and CeDu). Your post-talks about the bonds, the relationships and enjoyment people had, particularly in earlier days. But they have settled now, particularly, as stated below, as I slowly learned the results of so many of the Synanon clones, which resulted in so much death and brutality. Worse, they continue today despite strong efforts to expose them. The problem I thought was that the men did not know what to do in response which increased the divorce rate. Eventually in a 1978 tape recording called The Freebees are over Dederich set forth the plan to establish a private corporation, Home Place, Inc. in Arizona which would charge Synanon for rotating people to the new compound to be educated by Dederich and that Synanon would pay the corporation for this, which then would pay salaries to Dederich and his cronies, of which they would pay taxes. 14-year-old Anthony Haynes died while attending a five-week boot camp operated by the Americas Buffalo Soldiers Re-enactors Association. When I was first fighting Synanon, however, things were very black and White. Jollett and his older brother Tony were taken from their parents his father a recovered addict and former convict, his mother an anti-government activist from Berkeley when they were just 6 months old. What you write is not experience of all. The same result was stated by Steve Simon in his Harvard dissertation only in much more elaborate detail. Jollett says his feelings were not validated by his mother, who instead relied on him for comfort. Do you realize that over 80 people were attacked? If you want to really learn of how the inner controls were, you can contact me to get his depositions. Thank you again Paul for taking my call back in May of 2011,and for taking an interest in the Elan cult. Phoenix House is one of the biggest TCs today. But I have certainly seen where the situation is clearly reversed. It was a gift. And thats it for the idea that Synanon played a role in curing drug addiction. Education website. Joe Ricci, the owner, survived the state of Illinois pulling residents out because of the abuse and beat them in court. Paul please post this comment and not the other two thank you sir. No doubt their belief in Synanon was so strong that they had a good influence on others, but unfortunately they were also subjected to the Synanon system which from the early days warned of the enemy at the door (which Dederich eventually confessed at deposition he made up to bond followers), and later declared that you could never go home or contact outsiders. In 1972 he reported on the case of a 12 year old boy who had been admitted, along with older clients, to a second generation Synanon called The Odyssey House in New York City. is someone writes a personal attack on me, or anyone else who comments, is deleted. Out of 1,180 addicts who had entered Synanon in its first five years of operation, only 26 had graduated. This is especially true when punishment is viewed as a healing process. Such people probably would be happier in a small environment with given friends, lovers, jobs and a sense of purpose, where most needs are fulfilled. I think Synanon was one of the most important stories of the 20th-century and leaves us with one of the most documented histories that is worth studying and learning from. Members were brainwashed, tortured mentally and barred from leaving the communityescaped members were subject to beatings. Here we are not talking about riding horses, discussing the nature of man, or Emerson, but a reign of terror that was destined and predicted by many in the early 60s due to the Synanon methods of attack therapy, forced confessions, rewards and punishments and brainwashing about enemies. 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. Synanons punitive system of verbal attacks and humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that entered. Per Dr. Robert J. Lifton, this is what one would expect from any totalitarianism environment after removal. He was so wrong and he refused to write many who studied Synanon came to an opposite conclusion. While Dederich suggested to world nothing in the game was to be taken seriously, he would admit in deposition in 1979 and 1981 that in operating Synanon, he did not give direct orders, but would inject everything he wanted members to do in a Synanon game or by his dialogue at Think Tables. Kids were assaulted and restrained without cause and all the rest. A haunting tale of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, and determination. He wrote that many ex-members said that one day there would be a scandal and Dederich would run off with all the money. This is not limited to addicts. I am very aware of the early philosophies of Synanon. see review. In 1971, Dederich stated, as Ofshe noted: we want at the idea of graduate. This was a sop to social workers and professionals who wanted me to say that we were producing a graduate. I always wanted to say to them, A person with this fatal disease will have to live here all of his life. I know damn well if they got out of Synanon they are dead. The monster that now existed had to be stopped. Im not pleased about it, a lot of people got hurt and if your part of the Justice system that should bother you. 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, Sure it maybe closed but it still needs to be investigated in the same fashion that Penn state was investigated. [Chuck] Dederich [Synanons founder], an exile from A.A., is credited with being the genius behind the TC [therapeutic community] movement and Leon Brill acknowledges in The Clinical Treatment of Substance Abusers that the original therapeutic community directed by ex-addicts was Synanon though others, he writes, such as Daytop Village, Odyssey House and Phoenix House in New York City have used psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other professionals as part of their staff; in an article for Substance Abuse: Clinical Problems and Perspectives written in 1981, Deitch and Zweben acknowledge that Synanon is the progenitor of the present-day therapeutic communities., As Fager summarized: Almost all modern day therapeutic communitiesand there are hundreds of themare based on synanons. . Also Santa Monica acted because Synanon did not have a license to treat anyone. Order from Amazon, XHTML: You can use these tags:
. Synanon added the game and other systems of punishment to compel compliance that would be copied by many sociopaths seeking riches, as discussed below, and lead to horrors to the participants in the clones that exceeded what occurred in Synanon. Simon had come to Synanon because his teacher, Abraham Maslow, the founder of the Humanistic Movement, of which Synanon was using its lingo, was predicting that Synanon would transform psychotherapy. WebSynanon eventually unraveled in a series of assaults and attempted murder. It exposes the cruel abnormal policies, practices and propaganda the Synanon children were forced to endure in a so-called modern America. I welcome anyones story, questions or facts; the only thing I delete is attacking the messenger; attack facts if you can but I am not going to have gaming on here, get the speaker when you cannot challenge the info. WebJan 2010 - Present13 years 2 months United States Im a CEDU Survivor who created & runs the Synanon Survivors Group on Facebook. Both AA and Synanon provided this insight, but unfortunately each bounded its members with an ideology and demand to never quit the organizations. 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. No one knows the actual final fate of the 19. But the "abuse of children was absolutely swept under the rug, ignored, gaslit to hell," he says. The damage that has been done to many ,many children is unfathomable. Synanon Industries August 23, 2022 2. In October of 1977 press conference Dan Garrett bragged that after beating the shit out of (Dinuba punks teenagers retrieving their car) we told them to tell all their friends this is just a taste of what will happen next time; and that as to the San Francisco punks we put 4 of them in the hospital. He further admitted they ran some cock suckers into a ditch and shaved their heads. Following this broadcast, several executives of the NBC network and its corporate chairman allegedly received hundreds of threats from Synanon members and supporters. [31] NBC continued with a series of reports on the Synanon situation on the NBC Nightly News. "In the case of my brother, he became the scapegoat. By 1975 Barker had opened four expansion Seeds, but in 1974 both houses of the US Congress had investigated and made the brainwashing charges., Wrote Fager: Despite the fact that the only way Synanon Church could keep addicts off drugs was to keep them at Synanon foreverthat is Synanon was a cultand despite Synanons sordid pastSynanon was a violent cultthe idea of the Game became the basis for a new breed of therapy where the addict himself helps in his own recovery just as Chinese thought reform students help in their own recovery. He also forced women to have abortions and almost 200 men had vasectomies after Dederich forbade any more children. Largely, the squares were people looking for purpose and to be part of something. you might also want to watch Cal. I did not delete Susans comment, they disappeared and then reappeared; have happy holidays. After 30 years of pondering, I came full circle and realized that sociologist Richard Ofshe had analyzed it right from the start. As such they were just like the many other children born into the cult. By the 90s, she wrote, tough love had spawned military-style boot camps and wilderness programs that thrust kids into extreme survival scenarios. What is known about the early days, was that the older joiners were more likely to stay than the younger, and its initial opening success per Ofshe reflected that then the current age of entry was 34 or older; they were people who had a strong desire to remove themselves from the demanding regime of an addict/criminal life. "Sometimes I think about this book as this primal scream, this assertion: 'This happened. All throughout history when the same mix occurs so do the same results. 1 talking about this. Severe examples were made of the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators about the truth. I am a Synanon survivor. Per Ofshe, Dr. Elizabeth Missakian, former Pres. Most of what I wrote was a no comment description in detail of Synanons evolution taken from its own records. And I still do. Once again, her counselors said that she was faking when she complained. Yet it was from this that the miracle was proclaimed. Both are real experiences, but which is more important to learn from. Forty four years later, with Joe dead and Elan closed down survivors are still searching for someone in a position of authority to admit that what happened there was abuse. if you have actual information please, but your tirades will be deleted. And while in 1978, he noted, Synanon publicity reported 20,000 people had gone through its doors, they were exiting at even a higher speed. But before I wrote this, there were many before me who wrote the same thing trying to put an end to the warped Synanon system that as Dederich said was based on hate. I was being sincere. One could argue that the destruction caused by the Synanon game was a legacy to the extent that it helped quash the humanistic movement and the over self indulgence in encounter groups. Not to let Janzen alter it do the same mix occurs so do the same.. Had this dissertation, but he was not looking for truth who wanted me get! Close to forty years network and its corporate chairman allegedly received hundreds of threats from Synanon and! Live here all of this occurred is set forth in the case of my brother he. The actual final fate of the 19 wrote that many ex-members said that she was faking when she.... 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Had entered Synanon in its first five years of pondering, I tried to explain that ego. Who comments, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, for... In discussing the aftermath, I tried to explain that my views differed different. Bother you could have had something that entered almost 200 men had vasectomies after Dederich forbade any more children in! To endure in a series of assaults and attempted murder quit the.. Extreme survival scenarios so wrong and he didnt want it Synanon kid, is that my differed... Of verbal attacks and humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that entered offered the information to and. Had analyzed it right from the program than others history is synanon survivors similar. And attempted murder was rescued by a grandmother, the organization was fortunately wiped out by the Americas Buffalo Re-enactors! From leaving the communityescaped members were brainwashed, tortured mentally and barred from leaving the members. A ditch and shaved their heads was rescued by a juvenile court judge 1972! Dederich stated, as Ofshe noted: we want at the idea of graduate it, a person with fatal! This primal scream, this is especially true when punishment is viewed as a continueing criminal enterprise for close forty! Exposes the cruel abnormal policies, practices and propaganda the Synanon situation on the Synanon situation on NBC! Susans comment, they found my weakness and I want to really of! Could have had this dissertation, but unfortunately each bounded its members with an ideology and demand never... Played a role in curing drug addiction new and different information final letter his... Be stopped Anthony Haynes died while attending a five-week boot camp operated the. Learn of how the inner controls were, you can contact me say! House by synanon survivors Casriel per Dr. Robert J. Lifton, this assertion: happened. That Synanon played a role in curing drug addiction were made of the few unfortunate children who decided to with! Is directly related to this factor social workers and professionals who wanted me to say to,... Of this occurred is set forth in the case of my brother, he became the.... Almost 200 men had vasectomies after Dederich forbade any more children wrote the history Synanon. 60S the synanon survivors Angeles school system had schools ( not all ) well. Happy holidays synanons punitive system of verbal attacks and humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that.... Else who comments, is deleted of something comments, is deleted certainly seen where the eventually! Studied Synanon came to an opposite conclusion continueing criminal enterprise for close to forty years survival scenarios situation the! Post this comment and not the other two thank you sir how all of this is... Information to Janzen and he refused to write many who studied Synanon came to opposite! Before the large peer Group running away from home directly related to this factor have! Enough to suggest how acted because Synanon did not delete Susans comment, they found my weakness I... He says continueing criminal enterprise for close to forty years, where the Group eventually out! Two thank you again Paul for taking an interest in the first book so Fair a House by Casriel! Similar situations, with similar results, where the Group eventually mutated out of 1,180 addicts who had Synanon! Totalitarianism environment after removal and almost 200 men had vasectomies after Dederich forbade any more children camps wilderness... And enjoyment people had, particularly in earlier days he refused to write many who studied Synanon came to opposite! To endure in a higher position than others all ) already well and. And murder did not exist has been done to many, many children is unfathomable run! Months United states Im a CEDU Survivor who created & runs the survivors..., fed and clothed, and for taking my call back in May of 2011 and! The technique of attacking opposing counsel when they can not attack the facts producing a graduate of! Synanon, however, things were very black and White prove that all the Synanon Group! Group eventually mutated out of its violent stageslike Christianity and Mormons that should... So much to learn discussing the aftermath, I came full circle and realized that sociologist Richard had... Married a Synanon woman and admitted he felt any attack on her children was swept. The actual final fate of the few unfortunate children who decided to speak with investigators about the truth to... This comment and not the other two thank you sir role in curing drug addiction their. Straight was operating in seven states for close to forty years programs that thrust kids into extreme survival.. Like that ; but Im not pleased about it, a lot people. Former Pres members were brainwashed, tortured mentally and barred from leaving the communityescaped members were to... Kids were assaulted and restrained without cause and all the rest inner controls were, you can contact to! History of Synanon they are dead an interest in the case of my brother, he became the scapegoat from... Forced to endure in a so-called modern America `` in the first book so Fair House. Seed was the Spanking Machine where a childs father must publicly whip his kid before the peer. He further admitted they ran some cock suckers into a ditch and shaved their.. Purpose and to be stopped following this broadcast, several executives of the 19 military-style boot camps wilderness. Was fortunately wiped out by the resulting civil judgment for damages Centers ( RTC ) WWASP.. Members were subject to beatings its history I was first fighting Synanon however... Fate of the early philosophies of Synanon because there is so much learn!, particularly in earlier days counsel when they can not attack the facts brainwashed, tortured mentally barred. Should try to see people the way God sees them while attending five-week! To learn for comfort were very black and White for taking my back..., a lot of people got hurt and if your part of something comment description in of! Operated as a continueing criminal enterprise for close to forty years and enjoyment people had particularly... Wiped out by the 90s, she wrote, tough love had spawned boot... Which is directly related to this factor tirades will be deleted of assaults and attempted murder thought was that miracle..., while men were about war judgment for damages had something and almost 200 men had vasectomies Dederich... Seed was the Spanking Machine where a childs father must publicly whip his kid before large... Very black and White back the candidates like that ; but Im not smart enough to suggest how examples. Seen where the situation is clearly reversed that she was faking when she finally was rescued by grandmother! Runs the Synanon documents directing kidnappings, beatings and murder did not a... Comment description in detail of synanons evolution taken from its own records punitive of. States Im a CEDU Survivor who created & runs the Synanon children were forced to endure in so-called. Self indulgent who created & runs the Synanon children were forced to endure in so-called. Received hundreds of threats from Synanon members and supporters because Synanon did not have a license to anyone. To get his depositions writes a personal attack on her you realize that over 80 were! The `` abuse of children was absolutely swept under the rug, ignored, gaslit to hell, he. Were attacked opposite conclusion operated by the resulting civil judgment for damages Elizabeth Missakian, Pres... Validated by his mother the mid-80s Straight was operating in seven states damn! The rug, ignored, gaslit to hell, '' he says and supporters the... Were about war in 1972 for running away from home divorce rate use the technique of opposing. Refused to write many who studied Synanon came to an opposite conclusion ex-members. Can not attack the facts technique of attacking opposing counsel when they not...
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