Did Synanon save my life? He remarried, but alcohol did in that marriage, too. It will produce a new breed of human beings with greatly expanded potentials. AN ULTRA-violent cult brainwashed addicts into shaving their heads, and enforced mass sterilizations in "Gestapo-like" demands. His successful prosecution of Synanon led to an attempt against his life, by means of a rattlesnake. In the 1970s, two men were run off the road near one of their properties. [40] The CEDU model was widely influential on the development of parent-choice, private-pay residential programs. Some laughed, others howled and sobbed. According to court records, the cult formed a militant branch, known as the Imperial Marines, to inflict violence against opponents of the organization. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Dederich is credited with coining the phrase Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life. (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon). Life Magazine did a 14 page photo spread, which a Congressman called the Miracle on the Beach, and Columbia Pictures made a movie Synanon, starring Edmond OBrien, Chuck Conners and Stella Stevens. Beatings occurred in Synanon basements. "But it wasn't too long before I knew it was true," Morantz says. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). The new drug rehabs that came afterwards followed the advice of Dr. Dan Casriel who wrote the first book on Synanon. The organization developed a business that sold promotional items, a successful enterprise that eventually generated roughly $10 million per year of revenue. [41], Father William B. O'Brien, the founder of New York's Daytop Village, included Synanon's group encounters and confrontational approach in his research into addiction treatment methods. Synanon is a word of his own invention integrating togetherness (syn) with the unknown (anon). Synanon struggled to survive without its leader but with a severely tarnished reputation. The below Synanon 1, II and III are Synanons own designation of its history (Deposition of Charles Dederich; People vs. Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon, Morantz Synanon archives), Dederich was born in Ohio in 1913. Paul Morantz got the court order giving Ms. White custody, but Synanon refused to turn them over. Carom shots now involved public beatings and getting enemies on missions that went coast to coast. Several weeks after NBC began receiving threats, on October 10, 1978, two Synanon members placed a de-rattled rattlesnake in the mailbox of attorney Paul Morantz of Pacific Palisades, California. Yes, it is all true. "By July and August, I realized what Id stepped into, but it was too late to get out of it.. [7][32][33] This incident, along with the press coverage, prompted an investigation by the police and government into Synanon. Dederich concluded in l967 that the program was not a success, and ended the concept of graduation. Without continued peer pressure, most ex-addicts reverted on leaving, as did the Korean prisoners of War (giving up Communism) in 90-days. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Read More. The husband hired attorney Paul Morantz, who had recently finished a case against persons who had kidnapped skid row alcoholics and kept them on thorazine in nursing homes in order to bill the State. Dig Deeper Listen: The American Rehab podcast series Read: Reveal's reporting on All Work, No Pay. It was just weeks after Morantz had won a $300,000 judgment against Synanon, a shady drug rehab facility that opened in Santa Monica in 1958. Ofshe, Richard. That is the end of that lawyer. Trade players like stocks: https://codes.jockmkt.com/?utm_campaign=BAWS-A9EE Come%20join%20Jock%20MKT.%20Use%20my%20referral%20link:%20https://codes.jockmkt.. (Time Magazine, Dec, 1977). For other inquiries, Contact Us. If you do your best, you cant fail. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). (Mitchell, Light on Synanon. In 1977, a group of Synanon thugs pistol-whipped a truck driver who had cut off their vehicle on a highway. Performance & security by Cloudflare. But there was a catch: new members had to transfer their assets to the organization. Click to reveal Synanons goal, Dederich said, was to lead the world into the 21st Century and anything less than changing the world is Mickey Mouse. (Morantz archives on Synanon, Gerstel, Paradise Inc.). Dan Garrett ordered a kidnapping and then changed the order to beating the person on the spot. On Oct. 10, 1978, Morantz was bitten by a rattlesnake left in his Pacific Palisades home mailbox by two members of the Synanon Imperial Marines. Dederich was arrested for operating in Santa Monica without a health license and out of zone. . The concept of "lifetime rehabilitation" did not agree with therapeutic norms, and it was alleged[by whom?] LOS ANGELES -- Thirteen past and present members of Synanon, the controversial drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization, surrendered in court Tuesday on two secret indictments charging them. Synanon evicted by tossing people and belongings out of apartments (even off a roof). By BRANDON MESSICK Bmessick@havasunews.com Dec 9, 2018 Updated Aug 21, 2022 2 Stay Informed.. Two members of a Synanon security force known as the "Imperial Marines," Lance Kenton and. Recovering alcoholic Charles 'Chuck' Dederich founded Synanon in 1958 to provide substance abuse reform to drug users as well as alcoholics in Santa Monica, California. Philip K. Dick makes several references to Synanon in his 1977 novel A Scanner Darkly and 1981 novel VALIS. (Tony Lang, Synanon). In 1959, Synanon moved from their small storefront to an abandoned armory on the beach. For a shower, a hose ran through a window (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon). The snake did bite Attorney Paul Morantz, but he survived and went on to prosecute Synanon, as well as Church of Scientology, Hare Krishnas, and more. Get this The Hanford Sentinel page for free from Thursday, August 9, 1979 ,Aug. 9, 1979 JWork jkn&ul upi Photo Synanon Imperial Marine Lance Kenton runs down the stairs at Superior Court after his . Synanon fought and lost the action on summary judgment based on their own admissions in their internal records. Publicly one was berated (haircut) for misdeeds and this was designed to carom off and affect behavior of those watching. Dederich said freedom to think to a dope addict was like a gun to a baby, and they wash dirty brains. When one woman successfully fled and managed to get a lawyer to aid her legal case against the organization, that lawyer found himself the victim of a rattlesnake that had been placed in . September 21, 1978 ex-member Phil Ritter, was severely beaten by two members, causing him to fall into a coma for a week. During summer l978 California congressman, Herschel Rosenthal, a long-time Synanon supporter, attached a rider to a bill that if passed would exempt Synanon from all health licensing laws regardless of condition person taken in. According to court records, the group also formed a militant branch, known as the "Imperial Marines," to inflict violence against opponents of the organization - including former Synanon members. As full recovery for graduates was not happening sufficiently, Dederich proclaimed no one should ever graduate. (Synanon Holy War file, Robson letters, IRS vs. Synanon). At eight a.m. Monday hand in hand the Trippers went down the corridor toward the sounds of band music. Morantz did and the bill was defeated by one vote. In response to these accusations, Dederich declared in l974 that Synanon was a tax exempt religious organization, the Church of Synanon. A memo declaring it a religion asked a question that didnt need to be answered: Who will be God? (Gerstel, Paradise Inc.; Morantz vs. Synanon, IRS vs. Synanon) Dederich declared no more children (1976) as they take time away from Synanon goals. Episode 22 of Mannix depicts Synanon members involved with a fictitious 1945 Daily Clarion bombing that killed 14 men. At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Tulare County Planning Commission approved a final site plan for the Sequoia Resort, which will house 67 vacation rental units on a 71-acre property formerly owned by Synanon, a drug rehabilitation turned religious cult that operated a commune on the . The couple claimed that the wife had been held captive by Synanon and that during her stay, leaders at Synanon had attempted to brainwash her. After litigation over the tax assessment, which in the end it could not pay, Synanon doors finally closed for good in 1991. Dederich would elsewhere declare that if you kept people up long enough you can make them believe anything (Deposition of Charles Dederich, Morantz vs Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon. While his associates went to jail, Dederich received probation because his doctors claimed that due to ill health he would most likely die in prison. When all were exhausted Dederich returned and offered forgiveness for surrender. The concept was based on law that even charities are taxed if they commit acts against public policy. "They are draining life's blood from us, and expecting us to play by their silly rules. Beginning in the mid-1970s, women in Synanon were required to shave their heads, and married couples were made to break up and take new partners. A search of the vehicle turned up a fingerprint that matched one of Dederich's so-called "Imperial Marines," a no-nonsense security detail unafraid to employ violence should the moment call for it . Synanon lawyer Howard Garfield ordered Marine head Dr. Douglas Robson to collect all Synanon memos describing their violence and transfer them to legal department so attorney client privilege would attach. They weren't welcomed. . "[28] During the investigations researchers also came across multiple lawsuits and arrests against Synanon members. Monetary donations came in from the rich and Hollywood, as guys like Robert Wagner, Leonard Nimoy and Ben Gazzra came to Synanon to play the game with ex-addicts and ex-hookers. (Gerstel, Paradise Inc.) Beginning in 1974 the authorities began to question Synanons promises and practices. 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. Eventually, on September 21, 2008 the Marines tried to murder ex-member Phil Ritter, who was trying to get his child out and had gone to the authorities complaining of forced vasectomies in Synanon, by clubbing him over the head (Berkely Gazette September 1978; Mitchell, the Light on Synanon). Such acts comprised the bulk of a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation by Dave Mitchell, of the Point Reyes Light weekly newspaper. Later the flies (Dederich trained youngsters) took over the attack. Social scientists flocked to see for themselves, while Hollywood came out with the film Synanon in 1965, starring Edmond O'Brien as Charles and Eartha Kitt as Betty. A Los Angeles District Attorney search warrant led to a discovery of an audio tape wherein Dederich bragged of beatings that had occurred, the Imperial Marine training, and said one day the message would be delivered to everyone Dont mess with Synanon. Their last hope. Though local newspapers and broadcast media covered the case, they were largely silenced by lawsuits from Synanon lawyers charging libel. IMPERIAL MARINES, AND DOPE FIENDS by George Pendle, Cabinet Magazine, Winter 2012-2013 . In 1974 Synanon declared itself a religion and centered on middle-class searching for utopia rather than addict curing. After complaints about child abuse attracted attention in the press and visits from the police, Dederich ordered followers in 1976 to stop having kids, saying: I think children are a very bad investment.". [14][22], The game turned into a 72-hour version and was admitted by Dederich to be brainwashing. Teeth were knocked out. I really do want an ear in a glass of alcohol on my desk.[3]. The city claimed it owned the beach front and rather than take the issue to court it sent police officers and bulldozers across the sand knocking down cabanas and paved courts. But, a Synanon mob brutally beat Gambini in front of his family, Morantz writes. ; Brainwashing is powerful enough to cure drug addiction while members remain subject to it. Casriel went on to found Day Top in New York and thus came the birth of modern day drug rehabs (Casriel, So Fair a House). Dederich called it an insight producing experience. Dederich placed them in a 72 hour game (stew) and harangued them for not seeing his vision. In l977 in Santa Monica, Synanon took in a woman in a pre-psychotic break, and would not return her to her husband and transferred her to Tomales Bay. Yes, it saved my life and I do not regret being there. (Eidson v. Robson, Synanon; Synanon memos describing incident). (People vs. Dederich, Synanon memos on incident). Members were taught that if caught on a violent mission to go to jail and to not blame Synanon. The Conductor made it clear this was the resisters last chance. Joe Musico proposed to the Board that at its June 26 meeting it reconsider the idea of an additional Synanon National Guard and place him in charge of training it. [14] (Defendant's Statement of Material Facts at 68-74, 108-09.) Vile Dederich declared that, "having an abortion is like squeezing a boil, nothing more.". Robert Graeme told reporters that upon arriving, the cult's leader threatened him. Despite the Trip conversion success, the old-timers, the Retired Dope Fiends, aka The Walking Dead, remained a problem. Members were to confess in games and no secrets were allowed. The name was chosen when a member slurred the words 'Symposium' and 'Seminar', explains Paul Morantz, an expert on the cult. View our online Press Pack. One was four months pregnant. I see nothing frightening about it I am quite willing to break some lawyers legs and next break his wifes legs and threaten to cut their childs arm off. As the alcoholics had not wanted change, neither did they. The group attracted thousands of drug addicts and eventually accepted juvenile delinquents who were ordered by the courts to receive Synanon's services - for a fee of course. (Gerstel, Paradise, Inc.). He aimed to ensnare patients to remain in Synanon forever, and create a utopian society of his own design. For the film, see, Synanon's influence in the behavior-modification field. Most of his remaining time he was segregated in Synanon, as the foundation tried to revert back to early images and goals. Eventually followers took on the paranoia of its founder, Synanon developed the Imperial Marines and commenced a Holy War against its enemies. All Rights Reserved. Originally a nonviolent group, Diedrich created the "Imperial Marines" to maintain orderwithin and outside of the community. Before the snake in the mailbox, Dederich, to escape a warrant for his arrest in Washington, D.C. fled to Europe where he returned to alcohol drinking. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Beginning in the mid-1970s, women were required to shave their heads (men did the same and bib overalls became the uniform). (People vs. Dederich; Arrest report on Charles Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon). In the summer of 1978 NBC produced a hard hitting news segment on Synanon. Synanon enterprises would run gas stations, pottery making, apartment buildings and other income businesses without having to pay workers or taxes. [36], Synanon struggled to survive without its leader, and also with a severely tarnished reputation. A Shepherd led them through candle-lit and incense-burning corridors to a locker room filled with rows of Army cots with name cards. Daniel Gumbiner refers to this cult in his National Book Award-longlisted, The Boatbuilder. In 1967, Synanon purchased the Club Casa del Mar, a large beachside hotel in Santa Monica, as its headquarters and a dormitory for those undergoing treatment for drug addiction. Dederich preached Act as If which meant do not try to reason as to what Synanon asks they do; as thinking got them there, just trust what they were told and act as if it is right. The squares were pushed to confess their prior loneliness and despair. (See id. [12] After his small group, called "Tender Loving Care", gained a significant following, Dederich incorporated the organization into the Synanon Foundation in 1958. You may change your value system, notions about life and viewpoints about people. Synanon instituted containment which was disallowing contact with outsiders. Morantz was bitten and hospitalized for 11 days. Because there was no hierarchy in The Game, members could freely criticize Synanon's highest leadership, who would then take member concerns into consideration when deciding policy. Curing dope fiends was what they wanted. (Dederich, Childbirth Unmasked.) Ron Eidson, after a road skirmish, and refusing Dr. Robsons demand for apology, was pistol whipped and hospitalized while shotguns were held on his watching family. Unsurprisingly, abused kids began running away, helped by an 'underground railroad', led by neighboring rancher Alvin Gambonini, who tried to reunite them with their parents. He had been litigating against the organization, getting children returned to their families, giving information to the media, lobbying against a Synanon bill and fighting to expose its hit squad to law enforcement. [ 14 ] ( Defendant & # x27 ; s Statement of Facts! Of his remaining time he was segregated in Synanon, as the alcoholics had wanted!, by means of a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation by Dave Mitchell, the... Play by their silly rules a violent mission to go to jail and not! A glass of alcohol on my desk. [ 3 ] book on Synanon it... 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