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Media Articles - 1990s

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3 December 2002
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BIA Delays Action, Sets Meeting With Narconon

By Michael McNutt

Daily Oklahoman
March 27, 1992


NEWKIRK - The Bureau of Indian Affairs on Thursday postponed taking any action against Narconon Chilocco New Life Center.

Dan Deerinwater, BIA assistant area director, said a meeting is being arranged between officials from his agency and Narconon Chilocco.

Representatives from the Chilocco Development Authority, a group made up of five Indian tribes that are leasing the old Chilocco Indian school to Narconon Chilocco, also will be asked to attend, he said.

Deerinwater said no date has been set for the meeting, but it probably will be next month.

In a Feb. 25 letter, BIA area director L.W. Collier Jr., gave Narconon Chilocco officials 30 days to correct deficiencies that prevented the facility from being certified by the Oklahoma Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Patients being treated at Narconon Chilocco also were to be removed and admitted to state-approved facilities, according to the letter.

Narconon Chilocco is appealing the mental health board's denial and continues to treat patients. It recently stepped up its efforts at training people to work as staff at other Narconon facilities throughout the world.

Narconon Chilocco this week has six patients, all Indians, and about 40 trainees, a spokesman said.

Deerinwater said no action will be taken until after the meeting.

The meeting, he said, will "allow them to discuss the possible violations" pointed out in Collier's letter.

Gary Smith, president of Narconon Chilocco, said he is pleased with the BIA decision.

Smith, in a response to Collier's letter, asked for a meeting with the BIA to "discuss fully Narconon's compliance" with its lease.

Collier, in his letter, said Narconon Chilocco has violated its lease by failing to get state certification. Collier interpreted a provision in the lease that Narconon Chilocco is allowed to use the old Chilocco Indian school if it complies with state laws.