Synanon was initially a drug rehabilitation program founded by Charles "Chuck" Dederich Sr. ( 1913 - 1997) in 1958 in Santa Monica, California. XHTML: You can use these tags: . He flunked out of Notre Dame for lack of effort and worked for the Mellon family. A reference point for the rest of your life. Childbirth said Dederich, was no more important than squeezing out a football. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, In 1975-Oakland, CA- more than 500 women from Synanon communities throughout California shaved their heads, Members of Synanon have their head shaved in 1969, Synanon, poster: Richard Conte (cigarette left), Edmond O'Brien (top head), Alex Cord (arm outstretched), Stella Stevens (bare shoulder), Eartha Kitt (bottom right), 1965, Synanon founder Charles Dederich was arrested in Arizona on a California warrant charging suspicion of conspiracy and solicitation to commit murder in the rattlesnake attack of a Los Angles lawyer, The name was chosen when a member slurred the words 'Symposium' and 'Seminar', explains, Members of Synanon at the North Beach branch have a party to celebrate the 1,000 live-in member, April 4, 1968. spread throughout California, and Synanon became a counter-culture community by 1964. more than 1,300 members - resulting in a healthy bank balance, as its assets totaled about $33 million. Males were forced in games to have vasectomies performed by Synanon doctors, and a few pregnant women were even required to have an abortion. The name was chosen when a member slurred the words "Symposium" and "Seminar." One of its early cardinal rules was "no violence" or threat of same. Recovering alcoholic Charles 'Chuck' Dederich founded Synanon in 1958 to provide substance abuse reform to drug users as well as alcoholics in Santa Monica, California. The Point Reyes Light, a small-circulation weekly newspaper in Marin County, would later receive the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for their covering Synanon at a time when other news agencies avoided reporting. By BRANDON MESSICK Bmessick@havasunews.com Dec 9, 2018 Updated Aug 21, 2022 2 Stay Informed.. Several weeks later, October 10, 1978, two Synanon members placed a de-rattled rattlesnake in the mailbox of attorney Paul Morantz in Pacific Palisades, California. Morantz did and the bill was defeated by one vote. Six weeks later the Los Angeles Police Department performed a search of the ranch in Badger that turned up a recorded speech by Dederich in which he said, Were not going to mess with the old-time, turn-the-other-cheek religious postures our religious posture is: Dont mess with us. Escape From Cielo Drive (A Tale of Three Charlies) 0 December 26, 2010. There was The Witching Hour which featured a Ouija Board to be operated by Witches, two women in black and white robes. [32] The snake bit him, and he was hospitalized for six days. Synanon claimed it had cured thousands but by 1967 Dederich turned the organization into a "lifestyle" by recruiting non-addicts ("Squares") and building cities in Marin County, then Tulare County and eventually Lake Havasu. Synanon.) Taxation issues also arose. Social scientists flocked to see for themselves, while Hollywood came out with the film Synanon in 1965, starring Edmond O'Brien as Charles and Eartha Kitt as Betty. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). One was to participate only in Synanon. Children were often recruited from the Synaon schools and trained in military techniques with the growing stockpile of munitions Dederich had purchased. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). In response to these accusations, Dederich declared that Synanon was a tax exempt religious organization, the "Church of Synanon". (Eidson v. Robson, Synanon; Synanon memos describing incident). Beatings occurred in Synanon basements. Synanon began as an addiction support group that gathered in a grimy Californian flat in the late 1950s. imperial marines 1978 - It's Time for Morning Meeting Sharing our Synanon Stories Visit the post for more. Synanon would possess its own fleet of trucks and automobiles, hundreds of motorcycles, a mini-armada of 21 boats, a squadron of ten airplanes and its own airstrip. California donated a block long building in San Francisco. Synanon organized groups called the "Imperial Marines" and the "National Guard," and called for "Holy War" against its enemies. "The Social Development of the Synanon Cult". Its ultimate doom came when Dederich and members tried to kill by means of a de-rattled rattlesnake in the mailbox, Pacific Palisades lawyer Paul Morantz who was battling Synanon in the court and trying to expose the Foundation for criminal conspiracies. Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this article! In 1959, Synanon moved from their small storefront to an abandoned armory on the beach. Dig Deeper Listen: The American Rehab podcast series Read: Reveal's reporting on All Work, No Pay. Dederich was familiar with Waldens Pond and the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and B. F. Skinner. By 1991 the community had essentially folded. Before the snake in the mailbox, Dederich, to escape a warrant for his arrest in Washington, D.C. fled to Europe where he returned to alcohol drinking. (Time Magazine, Dec, 1977). Mitchell had tried to warn authorities, without success, that Synanon was going to try to kill Morantz. 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.". George Orwells l984 had arrived early. Escape From Cielo Drive (A Tale of Three Charlies) The strange tale of Charlies Manson, Charles Watson and the suggested unknown forewarnings of an eventual murder attempt on my life through similar circumstance. Tax issues arose. Watches were taken as time was no longer important. The Department of Justice in the 80s, hiring Morantz and sociologist Richard Offshe as consultants, sued Synanon to remove its tax-free status retroactively for committing a reign of terrorism. After litigation over the tax assessment, which in the end it could not pay, Synanon doors finally closed for good in 1991. Founder of Synanon House for drug addicts Charles Dederich, Chuck Dederich stands by his new wife, Ginny, at Synanon branch in Marshall, California, Founder of Synanon House for drug addicts Charles Dederich (centre) and staff members during rehabilitation session, Drug addicts at Synanon House for rehabilitation, Donald Trump announces enhanced counter-narcotics crackdown on drug cartels amid the coronavirus crisis, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). As a rule, Synanon wasn't a violent place while my dad was there, but over time, Dederich grew crueler and more deranged. It was also there that a luxurious complex known as the Homeplace was being constructed. Professionals, even those without drug addictions, were invited to join Synanon. According to Department of Justice records, Dederich discussed the possibility of Morantzs assassination with Synanon Imperial Marines leader Doug Robson. Carom shots now involved public beatings and getting enemies on missions that went coast to coast. Dederich became an AA favorite speaker and went to an AA meeting every day. It left a droopy eye and a facial tick. The Imperial Marines was Synanon's private fighting force, trained inside the organization and heavily armed. 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. Much of the violence by Synanon had been carried out by a group within Synanon called the "Imperial Marines". 81.169.224.1 Synanon purchased in 1967 the Club Casa del Mar, a large beach side 1926 hotel in Santa Monica (during WW II it was a military headquarters), and used it as a center and dormitory for drug treatment and business operations. [36], Synanon struggled to survive without its leader, and also with a severely tarnished reputation. Two members of a Synanon security force known as the "Imperial Marines," Lance Kenton and. When the first Tripper, physically and emotionally exhausted, broke and wept it caromed to the others. He remarried, but alcohol did in that marriage, too. "[7][8], Charles Dederich, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), was known to speak for hours uninterrupted at AA meetings. Trade players like stocks: https://codes.jockmkt.com/?utm_campaign=BAWS-A9EE Come%20join%20Jock%20MKT.%20Use%20my%20referral%20link:%20https://codes.jockmkt.. Dederich designed an efficient program of individual emotional breakdowns followed by a mass group euphoria all designed to re-educate individuals into the Synanon II philosophy and lifestyle. It even invited professionals including non-addicts to join. [14] The practice has been charactized as a form of attack therapy. The "Game" was presented as a therapeutic tool, and likened to a form of group therapy; but it has been criticized as a form of a "social control", in which members humiliated one another and encouraged the exposure of one another's innermost weaknesses. (Mitchell, the Light on Synanon). Several of the famous jazz musicians credited with cure returned to drugs. At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Tulare County Planning Commission approved a final site plan for the Sequoia Resort, which will house 67 vacation rental units on a 71-acre property formerly owned by Synanon, a drug rehabilitation turned religious cult that operated a commune on the . Dan Garrett ordered a kidnapping and then changed the order to beating the person on the spot. Dederich and his wife sat on thrones and often wore robs. Morantz had successfully brought suit on behalf of a woman abducted by Synanon, winning a $300,000 judgment, obtained release of children, gave information to the press and lobbied (defeating) another Synanon bill written by Herschel Rosenthal. [47] Throughout the series, one of the show's hosts, Brace Belden, talks about his childhood experience in a correctional, co-ed private facility called the Monarch School, which has been closed due to allegations of widespread abuse under the watch of its founder, Patrick McKenna, a Synanon disciple. The Synanon organization also developed a business that sold promotional items. Synanon wanted the kids to try to keep their tax free status and placed them in a militaristic Punk Squad (forerunner of Scared Straight and other failed camp programs). Beginning in the mid-1970s, women in Synanon were required to shave their heads, and married couples were made to break up and take new partners. In l977 when Dederichs wife Betty died he married a volunteer to be his wife and decided to save others from pain of death or divorce by ordering all married couples to break up every 3 years and take new partners selected by Synanon (love matches). Those who went to jail for Synanon were treated as heroes. "Synanon: Toward Building a Humanistic Organization". Beatings of opponents, alleged thieves and ex-members ( splittees) occurred across the country. In another terrifying experience, a former junkie wanted to visit the cult, but he took a personal security man, Jack Harding, in case things turned nasty. Juveniles in the 70s were often sent to Synanon by juvenile agencies or by courts on juvenile officers recommendation. Was it a wonderful place to be? (Synanon board minutesJady Dederich, Wendall Stamps Imperial Marine diary, People vs. Dederich, IRS vs, Synanon). Though local newspapers and broadcast media covered the case, they were largely silenced by lawsuits from Synanon lawyers charging libel. [citation needed]. 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. [27] People who left the organization were at risk of physical violence for being a "splittee"; one ex-member, Phil Ritter, was beaten so severely that his skull was fractured and he subsequently fell into a coma with a near-fatal case of bacterial meningitis.[28][29][30]. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). When they asked for friends they were hugged in mass. 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. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Dederich was arrested for operating in Santa Monica without a health license and out of zone. (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon, Columbia Pictures: Synanon). Dederich placed them in a 72 hour game (stew) and harangued them for not seeing his vision. The name was chosen when a member slurred the words 'Symposium' and 'Seminar', explains Paul Morantz, an expert on the cult. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The main character discusses a drug rehabilitation cult "The Church of Niebor," which is based on Synanon.[46]. Sternberg, David. Read More. It was known for communal living, practices such as group "truth-telling" sessions they called "The Game," requiring married couples to split and take new partners and female members to shave their heads. Did Synanon save my life? Fluid leaked into his spine causing a near fatal case of spinal meningitis. He and his family were represented by Paul Morantz and Ed Martin in a civil suit. September 21, 1978 ex-member Phil Ritter, was severely beaten by two members, causing him to fall into a coma for a week. Dederich appeared at a press conference and declared the city had fallen into the hands of Mad Dogs and Synanon would sue them all. Neighbors complained fearing Synanon would unleash non-recovered addicts into Santa Monica who came from other areas. Inside were Synanon members and Imperial Marines Joe Musico and Lance Kenton, and they were held on suspicion of involvement in the rattlesnake attack. Dederich would elsewhere declare that if you kept people up long enough you can make them believe anything (Deposition of Charles Dederich, Morantz vs Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon. While in The Game, members criticized each other, but left as friends and supportive community members. Robson wrote back the mission was accomplished (Garfield-Robson letters). Later the flies (Dederich trained youngsters) took over the attack. Synanon lawyer Howard Garfield ordered Marine head Dr. Douglas Robson to collect all Synanon memos describing their violence and transfer them to legal department so attorney client privilege would attach. It is currently active in Germany. His success in trapping so many people - at its height the cult had more than 1,300 members - resulting in a healthy bank balance, as its assets totaled about $33 million. [5] The group ultimately became a cult called the Church of Synanon in the 1970s. The couple claimed that the wife had been held captive by Synanon and that during her stay, leaders at Synanon had attempted to brainwash her. Much of the violence by Synanon had been carried out by a group within Synanon called the "Imperial Marines". Following this broadcast, several executives of the NBC network and its corporate chairman allegedly received hundreds of threats from Synanon members and supporters. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. [9] (IRS v. Synanon; Morantz vs. Synanon; Winn vs. Synanon; Renfroe vs. Golden State). ; [14], During its first decade, Synanon members entered into a 12-year program in three stages aimed at preparing members to reenter greater society. Dederich also created an armed wing within Synanon called the Imperial Marines, and ordered those within the unit to prevent any of the residents from leaving. In October 1977, attorney Paul Morantz was embroiled in a civil suit against the cult when he was introduced to Synanon's violent side the so-called Synanon Imperial Marines. Legal problems continued, despite this change. Let your ego golet things happen to you. Synanon became a Third sector within United States borders, seeking to have its Embassy in Washington, D.C. Paddy Wagons awaited Synanon protesters. Containment was instituted, which meant no contact with the outside world. [42], The author, journalist and activist Maia Szalavitz claims to chart the influence of Synanon in other programs including Phoenix House, Straight, Incorporated and Boot Camps in addition to those mentioned above. [7], Dederich eventually changed his way of thinking about Synanon and transformed it into something resembling a human progressive group. Synanon Imperial Marines. The tax assessment due to the violence conspiracy led the properties to be confiscated and/or sold. Dederich said freedom to think to a dope addict was like a gun to a baby, and they wash dirty brains. The concept was based on law that even charities are taxed if they commit acts against public policy. So, Lance Kenton and Joe Musico thought up this plan, and they went and found a rattlesnake," Aron said. 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]. Each person stripped and put on white robes. For the film, see, Synanon's influence in the behavior-modification field. Simon, not heeding what he wrote, later went to prison for destroying evidence unfavorable to Synanon (People vs. Simon). On the wall was a lifesaver called the U.S. Eventually followers took on the paranoia of its founder, Synanon developed the Imperial Marines and commenced a Holy War against its enemies. 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