Seeing clearly

I WRITE in response ‘No’ to Narconon (Mail, 11 February) to clarify some inaccuracies in your article.
I would first begin by clarifying that Get Off Drugs Naturally was not the applicant in the matter before the tribunal. ABLE (Association for Better Living and Education) was the applicant. Get Off Drugs Naturally was planning on leasing the premises if the planning permit was issued.
Our centre has been running successfully for 13 years, salvaging hundreds of lives from the scourge of drugs.
The Yarra Ranges Shire Council in their own examination of the Get Off Drugs Naturally program went to great lengths to support the continuation of the program and even offered to help Get Off Drugs Naturally find an alternative site. The council was simply not in favour of the specific location that was proposed.
The matter before VCAT was a planning permit to move our premises into town. The tribunal was very specific in stating that the methodology and religious affiliations of the applicant (ABLE) were specifically ruled out of contention in the hearing.
Per the tribunal, “the objector version of this proposal’s impacts tend toward the extreme”. It is unfortunate people have portrayed our organisation in a negative way as we are making a difference in people’s lives every day. We are helping men and woman, mothers and fathers, brother and sisters regain control of their lives. Our clients come from all walks of life and all over Victoria and Australia. Addiction has touched so many families and loved ones and Get Off Drugs Naturally is fighting this epidemic.
I challenge our community to work together in finding a solution to this epidemic, rather than turning a blind eye to this problem.
One of the objectors actually came up to me personally during the hearing to say that it was only an issue of location and commended our good work – saving lives from the scourge of drugs.
I myself am a registered addiction specialist, which is an American qualification to counsel those affected by addiction.
I have 10 years’ experience working in the field. I have worked in the Narconon modality as well as others. We have a registered nurse on staff, a paramedic, and two naturopaths. Key staff members have a Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs.
Our staff who work directly with our students are all qualified in level two or higher first aid. Our security team is credentialed and fully qualified and they have worked on cruise liners, sporting clubs, concert venues, stadiums and many others.
Andrew Cunningham,
Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS)
Executive Director
Get Off Drugs Naturally.