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State investigates Narconon Georgia after death at Scientology-linked facility
WSB-TV
Tue October 2, 2012
Area: Atlanta
ATLANTA, Georgia - A Georgia drug rehab program with ties to the Church of Scientology is now under a state investigation after Channel 2 Action News showed inspectors new evidence. The review comes after Channel 2 investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer spoke with an insider, ready to blow the whistle on lies told to the courts and the state.
Drug rehab programs in Georgia can be licensed in different ways. An inpatient program means patients have around-the-clock supervision and more state oversight. Outpatient programs treat addicts during the day only.
But a Channel 2 investigation found an outpatient program that posed as inpatient to bring in more money and showed state leaders evidence they have missed for a decade.
Channel 2 Action News and our partners AM 750 and Now 95.5FM News/Talk WSB and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution first broke the story of a patient who died, sparking new questions about whether Narconon of Georgia is running an illegal residential treatment program.
"I still can't believe (it). Out of all the people I ever expected to overdose, he wouldn't have been one that would have been on my radar," Riepe said.
Whistleblower: "It's all about the money"
Fleischer asked Riepe why Narconon allows people to stay if they're all using drugs and drinking.
"Cause they're paying to be there. It's all about the money," Riepe responded.
"Thirty thousand dollars is in the area of what we paid for the six months program," said Patrick's father, Rick Desmond.
Desmond said the executive director assured him it was a residential program. Just like it's advertised on Narconon's website.
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