Montell's father was a member as a child and spoke freely to Amanda about his experience in Synanon. In lessons, children were taught how to fight the Holy War" to defend their leader. [citation needed]. The Foundation had the wire, an internal broadcasting system that played 24 hours with repeated talk of getting the enemies. 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. Dederich and his wife sat on thrones and often wore robs. [10][11] And there was no way that its leader was going to share any of that with the taxman. This became a successful enterprise that for a time generated roughly $10 million per year.[13]. (Dederich, Childbirth Unmasked.) The school was headed by Al Bauman, who believed in an innovative philosophy and aimed to teach children in the same manner to think differently. Knowing away from the environment people were using, he closed the doors in l967 and ended the idea anyone should ever leave. Though many San Francisco area newspapers and broadcasters covered the Synanon case, they were largely silenced by legal action from Synanon's lawyers[citation needed], who made claims of libel. Paddy Wagons awaited Synanon protesters. Synanons purchase of over $200,000 dollars of weapons from a single gun store also brought media attention. The 1965 Columbia Pictures movie Synanon, directed by Richard Quine, was set at (and filmed in) Synanon; it starred Edmond O'Brien as Chuck Dederich, as well as Chuck Connors, Stella Stevens, Richard Conte, and Eartha Kitt. The New York psychiatrist Daniel Casriel M.D. That is a very satisfactory, humane way of transmitting information. [32] The snake bit him, and he was hospitalized for six days. Aids, who did their homework, provided ammunition to the Conductors on each Tripper. At the same time Pacific Palisades attorney Paul Morantz won a $300,000 judgment against the group on allegations that it had kidnapped, imprisoned and attempted to brainwash a woman on the verge of a psychotic break. Synanon, is the first ever self help-no doctors- drug rehabilitation program, founded by Charles "Chuck" Dederich Sr. (1913-1997) in 1958 in Santa Monica, California. Synanon Imperial Marines. Synanon was allowed to have members kick addiction cold turkey without drugs. Journal of Humanistic Psychology 18.3 (1978): 320. 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.". After the rattlesnake incident, Mary Robson, wife of Imperial Marine leader Dr. Douglas Robson, went to a neighbor of Paul Morantzs mother and left her card so Morantz would know Synanon knew where his mother was. It would grow to become a well-funded utopian society throughout the late '60s and early '70s, before declaring itself a religion in 1974. . 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. At age 4, when his father died in an auto crash, his mother, an accomplished pianist, made him the family male figure and her favorite. The concept of "lifetime rehabilitation" did not agree with therapeutic norms, and it was alleged[by whom?] He was found passed out on a kitchen floor and was told, "Fatso," if you . Later the flies (Dederich trained youngsters) took over the attack. Robson wrote back the mission was accomplished (Garfield-Robson letters). 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. Before the incident, Synanon investigator Chris Reynolds wrote a memo on Morantz, giving his home address to Synanon legal department. CEDU's schools used the confrontation model of Synanon. (Deposition of Paul Morantz, Morantz vs. Synanon; People vs. Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon. that on remote properties in California such as at Marshall in Marin County and in Badger, Tulare County, Synanon had erected buildings without the legally-required permits, had created a trash dump, and built an airstrip. Copyright Paul Morantz. In 1974 Synanon declared itself a religion and centered on middle-class searching for utopia rather than addict curing. [23], Beginning in 1964,[24] the legal authorities began to investigate Synanon's practices. When California officials set about revoking Synanons charitable trust status, Dederich declared Synanon a religion in 1974. The founder, Charles Dederich, a recovering alcoholic. As a condition of probation, he was disallowed from taking part in managing Synanon. 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.). That is the end of that lawyer. Watches were taken as time was no longer important. A big shot would advise the Trippers they were not really chosen as an honor, but each was really selected because each was a resister, thinking he or she knew better the direction Synanon should go, part of the dummies that hold Synanon back. Maybe, Dederich said, one day we will just put dingbats like you against the wall and wash them off and bring them back into the human race. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). The school attracted lawyers, screenwriters, and business executives, all wanting to educate their children in a progressive environment. He existed on a $35 unemployment check and charity from others. He was passed out when he was arrested for the assault and attempted murder of Paul Morantz. Synanon leaders and members have been linked with a large number of beatings and other acts of physical violence, and some have been convicted. Dederich called it an insight producing experience. He and his family were represented by Paul Morantz and Ed Martin in a civil suit. Synanon is a US-founded social organization created by Charles E. "Chuck" Dederich Sr. in 1958 in Santa Monica, California, United States. Dig Deeper Listen: The American Rehab podcast series Read: Reveal's reporting on All Work, No Pay. The influence and culture of the Synanon organization, which was founded by Charles Dederich Sr., started as a drug rehabilitation program in the late 1950's. . Synanon.) It went from the first ever no doctor involved self help drug rehab (Synanon I), to a building of a new society in Synanon cities to lead the world into the 21st Century (Synanon II), to becoming a self-claimed religion (Synanon III). The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Yes! Then it went to war. The original name was The Tender Loving Care Club. When all were exhausted Dederich returned and offered forgiveness for surrender. 81.169.224.1 [17][18], The film director George Lucas needed a large group of people with shaved heads for the filming of his movie THX 1138 and hired some of his extras from Synanon. Teachers, lawyers, doctors, police, politicians, all got hooked, many forming an allegiance previously not matched in their lives to the group and trainers that trained them. The Marines were led by Dr. Douglas Robson who would eventually flee in fear of arrest and set up practice in Seattle. These changes led Synanon to its then certain fate. Members were taught that if caught on a violent mission to go to jail and to not blame Synanon. The Trippers, many of whom had been awake for 65 or more hours, were hugged and cheered. [citation needed]. The psychotic leader of Synanon, Charles Dederich, features in a new series of Oxygens Deadly Cults which examines how this tyrant wielded so much deadly power over his many besotted followers. Paul Morantz, an American attorney and investigative journalist has written substantially about the cult - as he delves into brainwashing cases for victims. Deborah Swisher, a former Synanon member, recounts her experiences growing up in several Synanon communes in her one-woman show Hundreds of Sisters and One Big Brother.[45]. Despite the Trip conversion success, the old-timers, the Retired Dope Fiends, aka The Walking Dead, remained a problem. Did Synanon betray me an wound me? As a rule, Synanon wasn't a violent place while my dad was there, but over time, Dederich grew crueler and more deranged. imperial marines 1978 - It's Time for Morning Meeting Sharing our Synanon Stories Visit the post for more. 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. In not too long of a time, Synanon commenced training the Imperial Marines in Depot Flats in the Badger Mountains and then attacked over 40 people (some attacks were before Marines trainedDederich, New Religious Posture, Dont Fuck with Synanon. Was it a wonderful place to be? 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). [26] Over 80 violent acts were committed, including mass beatings that hospitalized teenagers and ranchers who were beaten in front of their families. One, Richard Marino, said they were handcuffed and beaten, and their heads were shaved. The Imperial Marines had caught and caged rattlesnakes in training (Wendall Stamps, Imperial Marine diary) and the snake was from Visalia (expert testimony, People vs. Dederich). I really do want an ear in a glass of alcohol on my desk. It can also make dangerous criminals out of good people, also subject to it. He remarried, but alcohol did in that marriage, too. TIL In 1978, a dangerous cult called Synanon tried to murder an opponent by placing an de-rattled rattlesnake in his mailbox. His life was saved by a neighbor who applied a . (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). 'I want you to take these two, I want that one's legs broken, I want this one's legs broken, and I want you to shove him into the back of his car, and run it off the pier'. All had pain. After winning a $300,000 judgment against Synanon, a once respected drug rehab group that had devolved into a paranoid, paramilitary cult, the ice under his feet got even thinner. Click to reveal To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The result was implantation of a common bond and sense of ideals, all identified with Synanon. Learn: American Rehab resources By the late 1970s, he'd formed a small army called the Imperial Marines, which committed dozens of heinous crimes, like mass beatings against defectors, whom Dederich called "splittees." Synanon sought religious status in 1974, with Diedrich as its leader. It was also there that a luxurious complex known as the Homeplace was being constructed. Much of the violence was carried out by the Imperial Marines. The tiny Point Reyes Light, a weekly newspaper in Marin County, received the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1979 on account of its coverage of Synanon when other news outlets avoided covering the group. Children who had been assigned to Synanon began running away, and an "underground railroad" had been created in the area that sought to help them return to their parents. It was read on the Synanon wire while Dederich would bellow when will one of you have the guts to go to LA and do something about him, break his knees. A reference point for the rest of your life. Yes, it saved my life and I do not regret being there. [16] Its members believed in Synanon enemies and encroachment of spies, created their own words (synanese), sought isolation from outside contaminants and committed to its destiny. In its 21-year history, Synanon's reputation has seesawed from selflessly charitable to kooky and even depraved Dederich founded the group in Los Angeles in 1958, after "trying to take control of his Alcoholics Anonymous chapter and failing." Mitchell related. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. He studied on his own in a library and his AA speeches changed from typical religious overtones to a psychological/philosophy slant. The group said that was a lie, and denied kids were being held prisoner. 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. (Dederich tape: The Freebies are Over; Arizona vs. Home Place Inc., Morantz archives on Synanon. The games turned on one than another. 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