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Media Articles - 1990s

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12 January 2003
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Psychiatrist in Narconon Battle Wants Protection Against Suits

The Daily Oklahoman,
June 19, 1991


A Tulsa psychiatrist chosen to evaluate Narconon Chilocco New Life Center is asking for legal protection should Narconon representatives become upset with his findings and file suit against him.

The Oklahoma Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will consider the request from Dr. John Chelf next month.

Board members will use Chelf's report to help them determine whether the center's program meets state standards and be certified.

Narconon Chilocco, located at the old Chilocco Indian School about six miles north of Newkirk, is asking for state approval to operate a 75-bed substance abuse center.

Legal issues have caused several delays since the center applied for state certification almost a year ago.

Before taking up Narconon's certification again, mental health board members will consider modifying Chelf's contract and extending it for another year at a July 12 meeting. The extension is necessary because the state's fiscal year ends June 30.

Pat Ryan, an Oklahoma City lawyer representing the board, said he is recommending the board approve Chelf's request.

Narconon Chilocco New Life Center already has filed two lawsuits over the state's certification process.

In November, Narconon Chilocco successfully blocked state mental health board members from reviewing reports from an earlier state inspection. Narconon officials claimed documents were biased against the center because of its ties with the Church of Scientology.

Ryan said Chelf became concerned about his liability after reading a recent article on the Church of Scientology.

Board members are scheduled to act on Narconon's certification request at their Aug. 9 meeting.