In June of 1973, I was a drug addict. I had managed to stay stoned, daily, for over two years.

     I found out about Narconon at the end of June, ’73. Narconon is a drug rehabilitation program that uses Scientology principles to enable a person to get himself or herself off drugs ( or booze). The Toronto Narconon had a “live-in” program. I entered Narconon’s front door a sunny June morning twenty-five years ago. From that moment till today I have not:

     1 Taken any legal or illegal “street-drug ”

     2 Had the URGE to take any such drug.

     3 Had the NEED to.

     I remember thinking to myself on the third day on the program that being “straight” was okay. I could handle it. I liked being clear-headed! I finished the program in 22 days and here I am - twenty-five years later - still clear- headed!!

     Two of the main Scientology principles used in the Narconon program deal with (1) CONFRONT and (2) COMMUNICATION. It sure worked for me!

     I gained the ability to face life - not flee from it.

     The Narconon program was my “introduction” to Scientology. Following my success with Narconon, I asked myself the question, “David, if these Scientology principles are there and are they equally as effective for me in other areas of my life?”. In hindsight, I am glad, very glad, I asked myself that question. Why? Because I continued to look at and into Scientology to my benefit.

     I attended the University of Toronto in 1969/70. I was a first year science “student”. I managed to fail, in the next eight months, Math, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. So, I took a year off, bummed around Europe ( that’s when I got hooked on drugs - see above) and then returned to the University of Toronto for another go at getting a college “education”. This time I thought I’d be smart. I took languages. I enrolled in two German courses and two Spanish courses. I wasn’t so smart after all. I failed all four courses!!

     In the fall of 1974, I began and completed a “how to effectively study” course that used Scientology principles. The main Scientology principle that was used in this study course deals with MISUNDERSTOOD WORDS ( words That a person doesn’t really know the meaning of). I discovered exactly why I had done poorly in college. When I had completed all the materials of the study course, I felt that I could study anything and understand exactly what I was studying. I still feel that way. I have no back-off in studying whatever I choose. I will successfully understand what I am trying to learn. I may not agree with what I am studying but I will understand what I am studying.

     I gained another ability - how to study successfully.

     In 1984, having two children ages five and two, Dorothy (my wife) and I had our first big marital “upset”. Without getting into the gory details, let me say that divorce was a very real possibility. It was a grim time for the both of us. The only thing we could agree upon was that we needed help.

     We made an appointment to speak with the chaplain at the Church of Scientology ( Toronto ). We talked with him for about 90 minutes. His name was Roy. After listening to our “story” ( which took 20 minutes to tell - 10 minutes for Dorothy and 10 minutes for me), Roy referred Dorothy and me to the two Scientology principles that were applicable to our “situation”. These principles dealt with (1) WITHHELD (unspoken) COMMUNICATIONS and (2) the DOING of CONTRA -SURVIVAL ACTS. Roy then gave us an “assignment”. We were to go home and begin to applying these principles with the goal of salvaging our marriage.

     Dorothy and I spent about an hour each evening for the next ten days completing our “assignment”. In other words we worked together for some time using these two Scientology principles. After about ten hours we both looked at each other and realized our marriage was “re-created “. We had done it! It wasn’t the easiest 10 hours I have ever had and that’s for sure. But it was worth the “discomfort” of “coming clean” with each other. And here we are! Fourteen years later we are close to the twenty year mark of a SUCCESSFUL marriage. It hasn’t been a serene marriage but it has been a successful one!

     Both Dorothy and I gained the ability of how to restore a relationship.

     So there you have three of my successes USING Scientology. And that word “using” is capitalized for a very good reason. Scientology is for USE. Wisdom is no good stored in musty books or in little-used corners of one’s head. Wisdom should be put to USE for it to be wisdom at all.

     I admire a woman or a man who isn’t afraid to LOOK. I admire a woman or a man who, having looked, is unafraid of trying something different. I admire a woman or a man who can recognize the worth of something for themselves without having to get someone else’s permission to try it or use it.

     I admire a woman or man who can think for themselves.

     I wish you well.