Narconon Arrowhead Receives Certification from Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

State officials recognize and welcome successful drug-free rehabilitation approach

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (ODMHSAS) has awarded full certification to Narconon Arrowhead's drug free withdrawal program.

Department inspectors have verified that Narconon Arrowhead is in 100% compliance with the criteria required by the state for non-medical detoxification.

Narconon Arrowhead's certification for its high quality standards and effective methodology from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to deliver non-medical detoxification is shown in the certificate from the state, pictured here:

Narconon Arrowhead CEO Gary W. Smith said, "My center's goal has always been to meet or exceed state and federal treatment standards because the individuals that we help are the ones that benefit from a higher quality care in the end. I think it's a new era for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and treatment providers in the state. We have known for some time that substance abuse is one of the key factors that are driving up prison and health care costs and more treatment services are needed, not less. State regulations seem to be moving more towards inclusion of alternative types of effective rehabilitation methods and programs rather then being exclusive to what has been considered traditional treatment methods."

In addition to ODMHSAS certification, Narconon Arrowhead's drug and alcohol rehabilitation program is accredited by the nationally recognized and prestigious Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) since the center was first licensed in Oklahoma in 1991.

Gary W. Smith, CCDC
Executive Director
Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor

Gerald D. Wootan, D.O., M.Ed.
Medical Director

Michael J. Gosselin, CCDC
Deputy Executive Director
Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor

Kathy Gosselin, CCDC
Senior Director for Production
Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor

Ryan Thorpe, CCDC
Senior Director for Expansion
Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor

Michael St Amand, CCDC
Director of Legal Affairs
Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor

Oklahoma Governor’s Proclamation Celebrates Forty-Three Years of Saving Lives With a stroke of his pen, Governor Brad Henry officially proclaimed February 19, 2009 as Narconon Arrowhead Day in Oklahoma, in honor of the Narconon program’s 43 years of continuing service in the battle against substance abuse. On this date in 1966, Narconon founder William “Willie” Benitez, an inmate incarcerated in the Arizona State Prison system, convinced officials of the prison to let him start the first Narconon program inside the walls of the penitentiary. Willie had been searching for years for a way to overcome his own addiction, an addiction that resulted in his being arrested and imprisoned for drug-related crimes. When he started his program with just ten fellow inmates, little did he know that it would be so successful as to grow into an international network of 130 treatment and education centers spanning 40 countries.

The Governor of the State of Oklahoma presented Narconon Arrowhead with this proclamation for it's dedication to the community and erradication of substance abuse and rehabiltation of individuals whose lives have been affected by substance abuse.