Turning lives around, creating a better future
In vibrant contrast to the dismal reminders of spiking fentanyl overdose deaths and the steady rise in alcohol-related deaths, Narconon graduates gathered for a reunion at Narconon Arrowhead New Life Center on October 12 to celebrate years—and in some cases, decades—of sobriety.
Surrounded by 250 acres of scenic woodland overlooking Lake Eufaula in southeastern Oklahoma, Narconon Arrowhead is not only Narconon’s flagship drug rehabilitation facility, it is also the international training center for the Narconon Program.
Narconon graduates and their families gathered to share the miracles of the program’s success and renew their commitment to helping others become drug-free for good.
An eclectic mix of ages and professions—from young mothers to grandparents, businesspeople to clinical professionals—gathered in Arrowhead’s main auditorium to hear graduates share stories of overcoming drug cravings and addiction and going on to lead happy, productive lives. Many pledged to continue helping others in need of the program and to educate their communities and youth about the dangers of drugs.
“This place holds such a special place in my heart,” said Courtney Broughton, who attended the reunion with her family. Elaine
Broughton, her grandmother, shared the family’s story with those gathered for the celebration. She had the audience in tears when she described the heartbreak of nearly losing her granddaughter to drug addiction and her gratitude to Narconon for turning Courtney’s life around.
“We told Courtney she had to decide between drugs and us,” she said.
Courtney made that choice, and the program did the rest.
“We are so proud of her now. She’s happy. She’s not angry. She doesn’t pick fights. She’s engaged. She has a great support system. But without this program and without you guys helping her, instead of being here today, we would be at her gravesite saying, ‘Courtney, we miss you so much.’
“So thank you,” she told the Narconon staff and students, “from the other side of the story.”
Samantha Lott brought her husband and two children to the reunion.
“I can’t think of a better way to honor this program than by coming to the reunion with my husband and two kids. This is a super special month for me.” She explained that she graduated from the Narconon Program in October 2012, and here she is, still sober in October 2024. She encourages anyone who knows someone struggling with addiction to pick up the phone and call the center.
“There is nothing more important to those of us who have been fighting the war on addiction for decades than to ensure the effective and proven Narconon Program is available to all those who need it,” said Narconon’s Bobby Newman. “It works, it saves lives, and it helps end the revolving door of addiction for good.”
Narconon (meaning “no narcotics”) not only addresses the debilitating effects of drug abuse on the mind and body but also resolves why a person turned to drugs in the first place. Narconon constitutes a worldwide network of dozens of residential rehab centers. The Narconon Program is based on the discoveries and writings of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.
