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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Indian Health Service DEC 22 1989 The Honorable Garry Bilger
Dear Mayor Bilger: I am responding to your letter of August 18 to Mr. Manuel Lujan, Secretary, Department of the Interior. You forwarded information about the Narconon/Scientology drug treatment program developed by Mr. L. Ron Hubbard, and asked that we review that material. The concept addressed in the "Purification Rundown" document is presented as a particular form of religious belief by the Church of Scientology. The Indian Health Service cannot support or condemn the effectiveness of such a concept in the treatment of alcoholism and drug abuse. However, in general because of a lack of empirical data, the "Purification Rundown" concept cannot be considered medically sound. I trust this information is helpful. We appreciate your effort to bring this information to our attention. Sincerely yours, [signed] Everett R. Rhoades, M.D. Assistant Surgeon General Director |