Synanons ultimate biggest critic was Dederich himself. 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. IMPERIAL MARINES, AND DOPE FIENDS by George Pendle, Cabinet Magazine, Winter 2012-2013 . Males were forced in games to have vasectomies performed by Synanon doctors, and a few pregnant women were even required to have an abortion. Synanon fought and lost the action on summary judgment based on their own admissions in their internal records. In 1967, Synanon purchased the Club Casa del Mar, a large beachside hotel in Santa Monica, as its headquarters and a dormitory for those undergoing treatment for drug addiction. They also beat a neighboring rancher, Gamboninni, who was helping children run away from Synanon and return to their parents (Light on Synanon; Dave Gerstel, Paradise Inc.; Marin County crime report on Gambinini beating, Synanon memos describing incident. Such acts comprised the bulk of a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation by Dave Mitchell, of the Point Reyes Light weekly newspaper. 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. (Robson card, Morantz memorandum). Everyone bonded. "One big dysfunctional family: A former member of the Synanon cult recalls the 'alternative lifestyle' that shaped her, for better and worse". [40] The CEDU model was widely influential on the development of parent-choice, private-pay residential programs. [14] Professionals, even those without drug addictions, were invited to join Synanon. [25] Initially Synanon did not support violence; Dederich later changed the rules to allow for violence in order to maintain control. While he was in a rush one day, he arrived home, "put my Synanon evidence books on the kitchen counter", when he noticed "something dark and elongated through the grill of my mail chute". (Robert J. Lifton, Coercive Persuasion, The Psychology of Totalism; Dr. Edgar Friedman, The Nation 1965, a review of Yablonskis the Tunnel back The author fails to see the inhumanity he observesSynanon is a trade of one addiction for another..one day there will be a Synanon state of Mind more important than the club itself). According to court records, the cult formed a militant branch, known as the "Imperial Marines," to inflict violence against opponents of the organization. It was also there that a luxurious complex known as the Homeplace was being constructed. Let your ego golet things happen to you. That is the end of that lawyer. Was it a wonderful place to be? [clarification needed] Synanon moved to create schooling for members, and Dederich wanted members to mentally change in order to improve society on the outside. A drunken Dederich was arrested on December 2 in Lake Havesu. On October 10, 1978, Morantz was bitten by a rattlesnake which had been placed in his Pacific Palisades home mailbox by two members of the Synanon Imperial Marines, Lance Kenton and Joe Musico. Members were taught that if caught on a violent mission to go to jail and to not blame Synanon. [7] A state Grand Jury in Marin County issued a scathing report in 1978 that attacked Synanon for the very strong evidence of its child abuse, and also for the monetary profits that flowed to Dederich. Ten years after its founding,. Synanon members bought stock in ABC and attended a stock holders meeting, and naming their names, the members, identifying themselves as former members of Murder Incorporated, asked if the board had protection for their wives (Synanon vs. ABC, AP Western Union Telegram; Pat Lynch, NBC segment 3). LOS ANGELES -- Thirteen past and present members of Synanon, the controversial drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization, surrendered in court Tuesday on two secret indictments charging them. (Mitchell, the Light on Synanon). By then Synanon's assets, including real estate, ten aircraft, 400 cars, trucks and motorcycles, totaled around $33 million. Copyright Paul Morantz. If you do your best, you cant fail. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). Their armed security was known as the Imperial Marines. He would never bond with kids again, including his own until they became adults. Some rolled up on the floor in fetal positions. The Grand Jury report also rebuked the governmental authorities involved for their lack of oversight, although it stopped short of directly interceding in the Synanon situation. Originally established as a drug rehabilitation program, by the early 1960s, Synanon became an alternative community centered on group truth-telling sessions that came to be known as the "Synanon Game," a form of attack therapy. "Light to celebrate 25th anniversary of its Pulitzer", Marconi Conference Center State Historical Park, "The Story of This Drug Rehab-Turned-Violent Cult Is Wild, Wild Country-Caliber Bizarre", "A Violent, Deadly Cult With Forced Abortions and Shades of Scientology", The Cult That Spawned the Tough-Love Teen Industry, "The Man Who Fought the Synanon Cult and Won", "Synanon's Sober Utopia: How a Drug Rehab Program Became a Violent Cult", "Playing the Game: The Origins and Impact of Synanon", "The True History of Synanon Violence and How it Started", "The History of Synanon and Charles Dederich", "Charles Dederich, 83, Synanon Founder, Dies", "Synanon Founder Advocated Violence Against Opponents", "U.S. Indicts Nine From Synanon in Tax-Exemption Effort", "Ever unconventional, long controversial", "The Cult That Spawned the Tough-Love Teen Industry", "TrueAnon Presents: The Game -- First Episode drops September 26 on http://patreon.com/trueanonpod", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Synanon&oldid=1133004690, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 20:24. 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. Trade players like stocks: https://codes.jockmkt.com/?utm_campaign=BAWS-A9EE Come%20join%20Jock%20MKT.%20Use%20my%20referral%20link:%20https://codes.jockmkt.. When the first Tripper, physically and emotionally exhausted, broke and wept it caromed to the others. Dederich was arrested for operating in Santa Monica without a health license and out of zone. A horrifying newsreel from 1978 shows a frightened young woman telling a reporter that she fled after being punched and beaten as a child, and she saw many other kids being assaulted. Yes, it saved my life and I do not regret being there. he rattlesnake lashed out too quickly for Morantz to react, and its fangs sank into his wrist. (Synanon Holy War file, Robson letters, IRS vs. Synanon). Journal of Humanistic Psychology 18.3 (1978): 320. The organization developed a business that sold promotional items, a successful enterprise that eventually generated roughly $10 million per year of revenue. 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. 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. Synanon was also developing a paramilitary organization that included two police forces (the Imperial Marines and the National Guard). He had been litigating against the organization, getting children returned to their families, giving information to the media, lobbying against a Synanon bill and fighting to expose its hit squad to law enforcement. 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. The game was eventually used to pressure people to submit to Dederich's will, abort pregnancies, undergo vasectomies, and commit violence. Get this The Hanford Sentinel page for free from Thursday, August 9, 1979 ,Aug. 9, 1979 JWork jkn&ul upi Photo Synanon Imperial Marine Lance Kenton runs down the stairs at Superior Court after his . Beatings occurred in Synanon basements. Juveniles in the 70s were often sent to Synanon by juvenile agencies or by courts on juvenile officers recommendation. Life Magazine did a 14 page photo spread, which a Congressman called the Miracle on the Beach, and Columbia Pictures made a movie Synanon, starring Edmond OBrien, Chuck Conners and Stella Stevens. Aids, who did their homework, provided ammunition to the Conductors on each Tripper. Eventually followers took on the paranoia of its founder, Synanon developed the Imperial Marines and commenced a Holy War against its enemies. She has not been seen or heard from since. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Synanon is a US-founded social organization created by Charles E. "Chuck" Dederich Sr. in 1958 in Santa Monica, California, United States. Your IP: Everyone was to cop-out (confess to past sins). 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. When all were exhausted Dederich returned and offered forgiveness for surrender. (Dave Mitchell, The Light on Synanon; Gerstel, Paradise Inc.. Synanon Holy War file memos on beatings, Dr. Doug Robson letters, various police reports). Six weeks later, the Los Angeles Police Department performed a search of the ranch in Badger that found a recorded speech by Dederich in which he said, "We're not going to mess with the old-time, turn-the-other-cheek religious postures Our religious posture is: Don't mess with us. (Dederich tape: The Freebies are Over; Arizona vs. Home Place Inc., Morantz archives on Synanon. Some cried for their mothers. [43], Straight Life: The Story of Art Pepper includes several chapters (21 - 23) about living at Synanon from 1969 - 1971.[44]. Each Tripper was to write a paper on some feeling or admission. Cole had received a court order to enroll in Synanon before she disappeared. Declaring Synanon a religion (shades of L. Ron Hubbard! The Synanon organization also developed a business that sold promotional items. [21] Furthermore, for their first ninety days in the community, members were expected to cease contact with outside friends and family. For a shower, a hose ran through a window (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon). 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. Professionals, even those without drug addictions, were eagerly invited to join, provided they transferred their assets to the organization. Later the flies (Dederich trained youngsters) took over the attack. It left a droopy eye and a facial tick. Given its growing popularity, it began to spread throughout California, and Synanon became a counter-culture community by 1964. (IRS v. Synanon; Morantz vs. Synanon; Winn vs. Synanon; Renfroe vs. Golden State). By the early 1960s it had become an alternative community as well, attracting people with its emphasis on living a self-examined life, as aided by group truth-telling sessions known as the "Synanon Game." Returning to. The snake bit Morantz but did not kill him. ), On March 20, 1978, a former member of Synanon, Tom Cardineau was severely beaten (for being an alleged spy) while tied to a post during his honeymoon when he took his bride to show her where he had once lived on the Walker Creek Ranch. The Trippers, many of whom had been awake for 65 or more hours, were hugged and cheered. 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. 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. All thought the experience was beautiful. Inside were Synanon members and Imperial Marines Joe Musico and Lance Kenton, and they were held on suspicion of involvement in the rattlesnake attack. He and his family were represented by Paul Morantz and Ed Martin in a civil suit. Dederich and Yablonsky acknowledged that the system was brainwashing (thought reform) as described by Dr. Robert Jay Lifton in Coercive PersuasionThe psychology of Totalism (Yablonski, The Tunnel Back). . Synanon struggled to survive without its leader but with a severely tarnished reputation. Mitchell had tried to warn authorities, without success, that Synanon was going to try to kill Morantz. [23] Morantz had successfully brought suit on behalf of people who were being held against their will by Synanon. In the 1970s, two men were run off the road near one of their properties. The founder, Charles Dederich, a recovering alcoholic. The Marin County Supervisors, including Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein did not want to take a public position against Synanon as it was a constituent. In June of l978 Ernestine White, a black grandmother was trying to get her three grand kids out. Dederich placed them in a 72 hour game (stew) and harangued them for not seeing his vision. Other journalists who took on Synanon were LA Times reporter Narda Zuchinno and CBSs Connie Chung. [10][11] The main character discusses a drug rehabilitation cult "The Church of Niebor," which is based on Synanon.[46]. In 1974 Synanon declared itself a religion and centered on middle-class searching for utopia rather than addict curing. One just had to surrender to Synanon. During summer l978 California congressman, Herschel Rosenthal, a long-time Synanon supporter, attached a rider to a bill that if passed would exempt Synanon from all health licensing laws regardless of condition person taken in. Dederich appeared at a press conference and declared the city had fallen into the hands of Mad Dogs and Synanon would sue them all. Watches were taken as time was no longer important. [7] It has been called one of the "most dangerous and violent cults America had ever seen. We will make the rules. Deadly Cults is back for a chilling second season, starting Sunday, April 26 at 7pm ET/PT on Oxygen. He got a job at Hughes Tools. As a rule, Synanon wasn't a violent place while my dad was there, but over time, Dederich grew crueler and more deranged. He was passed out when he was arrested for the assault and attempted murder of Paul Morantz. He existed on a $35 unemployment check and charity from others. put my Synanon evidence books on the kitchen counter", when he noticed "something dark and elongated through the grill of my mail chute". Outsiders were permitted to attend the "Synanon Game" there as well. Both were members of Synanon's 'Imperial Marines,' a security group within the drug and alcohol rehabilition organization. Her daughter died in Synanon and the husband split. Synanon evicted by tossing people and belongings out of apartments (even off a roof). (Deposition of Charles Dederich, Morantz vs. Dederich; Morantz vs. Synanon, IRS vs. Brainwashing is powerful enough to cure drug addiction while members remain subject to it. 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. The Imperial Marines was Synanon's private fighting force, trained inside the organization and heavily armed. Drug users started coming, and the alcoholics objected, and since there was already AA Dederich tossed out the drunks and kept the dope fiends. A members sluring the words symposium and seminar led to name Synanon. [34][35] Dederich died on 28 February 1997, at age 83, after a series of strokes; the cause of death was cardiorespiratory failure. This article is about the organization. [20], Entrance into the Synanon community required a strong initial commitment. 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. Web. Cook, an account of the journalists who exposed the abuses; it starred Paul Michael Glaser, Linda Kelsey, and Barbara Babcock. It even invited professionals including non-addicts to join. Newcomers were first interviewed by Synanon leadership to gain entrance into the community. Synanon sought religious status in 1974, with Diedrich as its leader. Click to reveal Synanon began as a two-year residential program, but Dederich soon concluded that its members could never graduate, because a full recovery was impossible. Dederich became an AA favorite speaker and went to an AA meeting every day. 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]. I really do want an ear in a glass of alcohol on my desk. 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." Paul Robert Morantz (born August 16, 1945) is an American attorney and investigative journalist. In 1974 Synanon declared itself a religion and centered on middle-class searching for utopia rather than addict curing. And there was no way that its leader was going to share any of that with the taxman. 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