Source

WireService.ca Media Release (03/11/2014)

By David Love

"Through information objectors obtained through Freedom of Information, it was last night revealed that police attended more than 30 incidents at the East Warburton site, including one where a person had an axe."

Today, March 11, 2014, Yarra Ranges Councillors in Australia, unanimously voted to reject the controversial Scientology's drug rehab, Narconon application that would allow them to shift from East Warburton to Green Gables in La La Ave, Warburton.

A campaign started by concerned citizens some time ago, with a website: "Say No To Narconon In Warburton" -- established by an alliance of Warburton residents opposed to the application, were vehemently against the application being approved.

"The challenge for our community and anyone who objects to this proposal is to get your voice heard in a way that town planners will hear. We need to communicate the real issues around the proposed use and how it will affect you, how it will have a financial impact on property, on the amenity of our community and how it will deliver real challenges to the local school nearby."

Today, the website boasted: "Victory! Councillors voted unanimously 8-0 to reject the planning application at the March 11 meeting in Lilydale."

Councillors also found that:

Narconon are not running an education program - they are running an unaccredited drug and alcohol rehab centre.

They do not fall under the jurisdiction of the health department or work, health & safety - they are not certified or regulated in any way.

If someone wants to leave - or is forced to leave - Narconon ask that a family member come and collect that person. If there is no family member to collect, a staff member will escort the individual to the bus stop and put them on a bus - or as stated last night - give them a myki card and put them on a train in Lilydale.

When pressed 3 times by a councillor - the applicant - after trying to intimate they were somehow under the jurisdiction of the health department - had to admit 'they had no certificate on the wall.'

They have no formal training for staff to handle escalations or acts of violence - beyond - an internal staff training program.

Councillors and Police found that community safety must come first.

Councillors and Police were clear that the isolation of the current facility is an asset. Police remarked that the 3km driveway plus the 10km walk required to get into Warburton - from East Warburton - is a valuable buffer that would let an agitated person cool their heels. That buffer would be removed if Narconon were installed 750 m from the main street / township of Warburton.

Freedom of Information - Narconon Police Events - Précis:

Numerous Police Reports were filed concerning missing persons, violent threats, threats to burn the place down and abduct female staff member, assaults, and student at Narconon threatened staff with an axe.

Scientology drug rehabs, Narconon, are being shut down around the globe and face numerous lawsuits for fraud, wrongful deaths, misrepresentation and human rights abuse cases for exploitation and abuses.