Smart People Today reviews and complaints

Montreal Physician Banned

On July 27, 2011, a Montreal Physician agreed, by way of a written accord with the Quebec College of Physicians, that the subject physician put an end to all relations with Narconon Trois-Rivieres. Following several months of investigations, including inspecting office files and records, and the opinion of an expert physician on drug dependence, the College stated:

"It was found that this physician had been in breach of several of his ethical obligations by associating himself with a drug detoxification centre administering treatment not scientifically recognized in current medical literature, by conducting an incomplete medical assessment, and keeping records of mediocre quality."

The file will also be brought to the attention of the Practice Inspection Division, which in turn, may proceed with a professional inspection visit of his office practice, if deemed necessary.

Furthermore, on August 31, 2011, the writer received a document stating that the Quebec College of Physicians Review Committee has undertaken a 90 day investigation to find cause to lodge a complaint with the disciplinary council.

Narconon Trois-Rivieres is a drug rehabilitation facility located in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec and is administered by and directed by the Church of Scientology in Canada and the United States. Their Trois-Rivieres "Flagship" facility is the largest of their more than 100 rehab centers located in over 40 countries and 6 continents and has a capacity to house approximately 110 patients at one time, with a residential program fee of $30, 000.00.

The controversy surrounding this pseudoscientific treatment center has been escalating over the past two or more years with media attention and several formal complaints filed with the Quebec Human Rights Commission, Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services, Labour Relations Board, Canada Competition Bureau, Quebec College of Physicians, Amnesty International, and Local and Federal Police Agencies.

The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services has mandated compulsory Certification by the Fall of 2011, with stringent guidelines and regulations that must be followed by every residential rehab facility operating in the Province of Quebec. Failure to meet or abide by these new regulations, will force them to close.

The medical practices at Narconon are looked upon by the science and medical profession as being dangerous and harmful to the patients who undergo scientology therapies and treatments. The main physical danger arises when a patient is in the "Purification Rundown", which entails a patient being given high, toxic doses of vitamins including up to 5, 000mg of Niacin. These vulnerable patients are assessed, diagnosed, monitored, and prescribed these toxic doses by unqualified Narconon staff members. Many of these patients have compromised organs; especially liver, and ingesting high doses of Niacin is contraindicated and a dangerous practice according to many physicians around the globe. Health Canada recommends only a small percentage of the 5, 00omg of Niacin given to Narconon patients; and only when a liver is healthy, with low liver enzyme counts.

Other toxic doses of vitamins A and D are also administered which may be dangerous to the person concerned.

High levels of vitamin D may lead to a sudden increase in blood calcium. This will lead to symptoms of decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, memory loss, decreased level of consciousness progressing to coma, and in infants, mental ###ation. Kidney damage may also occur which is often not reversible on discontinuing the vitamin. Bone disease, with weakening and fractures, also occurs concomitantly. Large amounts of vitamin A may lead to severe toxicity including a rise in the pressure of the fluid surrounding the brain, leading to headaches, visual disturbances and seizures.

Several patients from Narconon Trois-Rivieres have been hospitalized, with others becoming quite ill and sick during the Narconon program.

Has this subject physician neglected his FIDUCIARY DUTY TO DISCLOSE AN EMERGENT MEDICAL RISK TO THE PATIENT?

Has this physician neglected the Hippocratic Oath to "Prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone?" AND "I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan...?"

The College of Physicians Review Committee is continuing its’ investigation and review of this case and a final decision will be on or before December 2011.

By David Edgar Love