Naconon Founder, William Benitez

William Benitez, Founder of Narconon

From Addiction to Prison

In December 1964, William Benitez was a hardened heroin addict, just re-admitted to Arizona State Prison, and facing a 15 year sentence for narcotics possession.

A drug addict since the age of 13 when he used marijuana, Benitez was by the age of 15 in trouble with the law, and injecting opium. In an attempt to get free of drugs, Benitez joined the Marines but was dishonorably discharged due to his addiction to drugs. He was lost and going nowhere, unable despite a strong desire to get clean and give up his addiction to drugs.

A Life Changing Book

While waiting in Orientation Cellblock, Benitez discovered a book that would change his life. It was the "Fundamentals of Thought" by L. Ron Hubbard.

The principles contained in the Hubbard book fired Benitez' imagination. By August 1965 he developed a workable program to help drug addicts rehabilitate, along the same lines as Hubbard's teachings.

The Birth of Narconon

That August, he asked permission to present the program to other inmates of the prison, and 6 months later on the 19 February 1966 Narconon was begun and 20 prisoners received an education about how to overcome drug addiction and give up the criminal life. Narconon is a contraction from the words "narcotics" and "none".

Benitez, speaking to students at Scottsdale High School, Arizona in April 1968, reported that in the 18 months since the Narconon program was first presented - there had been 12 graduates of the course - and as at that time, none of these former habitual criminals had returned to jail.

The Best but Toughest Decision

Soon after his imprisonment Benitez had legal advice that there had been a technical fault with his sentencing, and that an appeal would get him released. He put in the appeal but if released he would have been out of jail and unable to go on with the Narconon program. Benitez says it was the hardest thing he ever did. He got a plea bargain approved by the judge that would see him stay in prison when he was entitled to get out - so that he would, for the sake of the prisoners, be able to complete the first Narconon program.

His choice to stay in prison caught the attention of the Arizona Daily Star that published a 2-part feature on the story and the birth of Narconon.

Developed and Increased Abilities: the Road to Recovery

The essential strength of the Narconon program is that it not only identifies abilities but contains methods, and practical exercises to develop them. Benitez saw drug addiction as being a disability, a result of people ceasing to use abilities that are essential to survival.

William Benitez realized that by learning and applying certain methods that he could persevere towards goals set, he could confront life, isolate problems and resolve them, communicate with life, be responsible, set ethical standards and function within the band of certainty. This discovery worked for him and he wanted to share the knowledge with his fellow prisoners.

For Benitez, reading and comprehending the content of the Hubbard texts was the regaining of freedom, a freedom lost to him by drug use. Instead of feeling imprisoned, Benitez saw his confinement as being only part of the journey towards a potential new life. Optimistic and confident that Narconon would flourish he wrote, in 1967, an article entitled "The Purpose of Narconon".

Expansion

Upon hearing of Narconon successes, non-addicts in the prison wanted to get onto the program too. It took some further persuasion from Benitez to get non-addicted prisoners permission to complete the Narconon courses. However, seven months later Benitez was invited to extend the program to young offenders in the Arizona prison annex.

William Benitez then approached L. Ron Hubbard for help with the newly established Narconon program and received donations of books, tapes and course materials, with many well wishing letters.

Benitez, released from prison in 1967, moved to California, and with the help of L. Ron Hubbard worked towards expanding Narconon.

First the addition of assisted withdrawal methods to the drug-free Narconon program, and later, in 1978 the comprehensive Narconon program was completed with the inclusion of the Hubbard detoxification protocol.

Back to Arizona

In 1981, Benitez returned to Arizona - to serve as a Hearing Officer on inmate complaints until his death in 1999.

Over 45 Years of Successes

During the time that Benitez was part of Narconon development, he was warmly regarded for his enthusiasm and vigor. Graduates of the expanded Narconon program were honored to meet the founder - touched by his simplicity - and the fact that he cared - cared about everyone doing the Narconon program and wished them the will to succeed.

Susanne Lawrence of the UK is one Narconon graduate lucky enough to have also met up with William Benitez whom she remembers for his caring nature. In 1976 Susanne graduated from the Narconon program - and remains today happy, productive and drug-free.

In February 2011 - the worldwide Narconon group celebrated 45 years of successes with the program that was created by William Benitez. Benitez died in 1999, but the program he created lives on.

Today there are over a 150 Narconon centers throughout 6 continents of the world - a secular program that is truly focused on service to humanity - regardless of nationality, religious belief or political persuasion. Narconon, founded by William Benitez, provides effective, permanent drug addiction recovery.

More information about the Narconon Addiction Rehab