NCJ Number
27679
Date Published
1972
Length
48 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE SYNANON FOUNDATION AND EXPLORES THE POTENTIAL RELENANCE THAT SYNANON MIGHT HOLD FOR THE ARMY IN ITS ATTEMPT TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH PERSONNEL WHO HAVE DRUG AND ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS.
Abstract
SYNANON IS AN ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE WHICH HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS, ALCOHOLICS, AND OTHER CHARACTER-DISORDERED PEOPLE. THE REPORT EXPLORES SYNANON'S DEMOGRAPHY, SOCIO-STRUCTURAL FEATURES, THE SYNANON GAME, SYNANON NORMS, VALUES AND THEMES, AND THE IMPACT OF THE SYNANON EXPERIENCE ON THOSE WHO LIVE IT FOR SHORT AND LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE REPORT ALSO PROFILES THE SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF SYNANON'S POPULATION WHO CAME TO THE PROGRAM WITHOUT DRUG OR CRIMERELATED PROBLEMS, BUT WHO, INSTEAD, HAVE DECIDED TO LIVE IN THIS DRUG-FREE TOBACCO-FREE, VIOLENCE-FREE COMMUNITY AND TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR INCOME OR THEIR PROFESSIONAL OR TRADE SKILLS TO THE GROWTH OF THE COMMUNITY. THE POTENTIAL RELEVANCE OF THE SYNANON PROCESS TO THE ARMY AND ITS PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS AND ALCOHOL IS EXPLORED. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDED THAT IT IS EVIDENT THAT SYNANON SUCCESSFULLY ASSISTS MANY PERSONS TO ABANDON LONGSTANDING DRUG-ADDICTIVE, ALCOHOLIC, CRIMINAL AND OTHER SELF-DEFEATING AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS. MORE IMPRESSIVE YET, ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR, ARE SYNANON'S MORE POSITIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH SUCH PERSONS WHO HAVE HISTORIES WHICH DEMONSTRATE SEVERE CHARACTER AND BEHAVIOR DISORDERS. HE STATES THAT SYNANON APPEARS TO HAVE DEVELOPED A SYSTEM WITHIN WHICH MANY SUCH PERSONS ARE TRANSFORMED INTO RESPONSIBLE, PRODUCTIVE, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)