Narconon Treatment Center Under Fire Following Patient Death
Services were held today-- for an Owasso woman who died at a controversial drug treatment facility. 20 Year old Stacy Murphy was a patient at Narconon, where 3 other people associated with the facility have died since 2009. It's located in Canadian-- the town is located about 15 miles north of McAlester. The deaths at this facility are generating national attention from New York to California. The most recent death happened Thursday.
To her family, Stacy Murphy should not be dead.
"Stacy was not a bad child. She was{}vivacious, hardworking, loveable person," says her father, Robert Murphy.
She walked into to Narconon for help with a drug addition. It was where she was pronounced dead after a 6 week stay.
But Murphy's death raises even more growing questions about Narconon a non profit drug and alcohol treatment center, we're told that's associated with the teachings of Scientology.
"The simple fact that there had been several of them up there. I say several, being two or three, its several to me."
Other deaths reported at Narconon include 21 year old Hillary Holton of Carrollton in April, 32 year old Gabriel Graves of Owasso who died last October. In 2009{}we're told another a patient with ties to Narconon died, and that case was settled then dismissed in March of 2012. Court records appear to support that regarding the estate of Kaysie Werninck. All the deaths previously investigated solely by the Pittsburg county sheriff's office until now.
As you look back do you wish you had called the OSBI sooner after that first death that was settled? "Yeah. Hindsight is always there. Like I said I had good trained personnel, go look at the scene the situation.
A protest was held that this facility about a month ago. They were family members and concerned citizens looking for answers.
NARCONON'S STATEMENT:
"In Narconon's more than 20 years of operation there has been 3 deaths at the Narconon facility and those have been within the last 12 months. The rampant abuse of prescription medications and drugs like Spice, Bath salts and host of other designer drugs has presented new and greater challenges for treatment providers throughout the state.
It is always deeply saddening when drug addiction takes a life or destroys a family. It hurts when a young person passes away before their time. For the family the pain of losing a loved one to addiction is unimaginable and our deepest sympathy goes out to those families. Our prayers are with them. For those who have committed their lives to saving people from drug and alcohol addiction the loss of not being able to help a person overcome addiction takes an emotional toll on us as well. It is a sad day for everyone when something as unfortunate and devastating as this occurs.
"Out of respect for the law and to remain in full compliance with 42 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) which are laws specifically designed to protect past and present clients or their family members right to privacy, I cannot disclose any information about present or past clients.
There are very precise local and state guidelines established with law enforcement and state agencies that come into play if and when there are any critical incidents concerning a person in our, or any other healthcare provider's, care. In the event that these circumstances arise, Narconon Arrowhead fully cooperates with these agencies.
Narconon Arrowhead is an established Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center that has been in operation in Oklahoma since 1992. The Center employs 190 rehabilitation and nursing staff and has serviced over 10,000 people in its rehabilitation program since it was first licensed and opened its doors over twenty years ago. Narconon has remained accredited by the nationally recognized accreditation agency, CARF (Commission on The Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) for 20 years and is certified by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to deliver non-medical detoxification services".
Gary W. Smith, CEO Narconon of Oklahoma, Inc.
