Shelley Beckmann, Ph.D.
William L. Marcus, Ph.D., D.A.B.T
William Kent McGregor, M.S.W., A.C.S.W.
Alfonso Paredes, M.D.
David E. Root, M.D., M.P.H., D.A.B.P.M
G. Megan Shields, M.D.

Narconon's International Science Advisory Board members have all contributed in the fields of drug rehabilitation, education, toxicology and detoxification. They take an active role in Narconon's programs, outcome studies, and general research in the field of substance abuse.

Staff Commitment

Helping save a life is the single most important objective of the entire Narconon® staff. Our professional, experienced staff are dedicated to saving the lives of people destroyed by the effects of drug and alcohol abuse and consistently produce drug free people who are valuable contributing members of society. Our facility, located on 144 acres of rural mangrove bushland, offers a comprehensive model drug treatment program in a friendly, retreat setting. Know that at Narconon Sydney , you have found the best place possible.

Shelley Beckmann, Ph.D.

Dr. Beckmann holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and has published numerous papers on the efficacy of detoxification. She currently serves as the Research Director for Narconon International.

William L. Marcus, Ph.D., D.A.B.T

Dr. Marcus is Senior Science Advisor and Chief Toxicologist for the United States Environmental Protection Agency. He has conducted groundbreaking research in the field of environmental toxicology and pharmacology.

William Kent McGregor, M.S.W., A.C.S.W.

Mr. McGregor received his B.S. in psychotropic pharmacology and drug interactions and his Masters of Social Work from the University of Houston, specializing in administration and evaluation. He has served for the State of New Mexico as Director for Drug Treatment and Prevention. He is currently a surveyor for the national Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Alfonso Paredes, M.D.

Dr. Paredes is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has been Chief of the Substance Abuse Program for Brentwood VA Medical Center and Assoc. Chief of Psychiatry/Substance Abuse for the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. As well as authoring numerous published papers on substance abuse, Dr. Paredes reviews for five prominent scientific journals.

David E. Root, M.D., M.P.H., D.A.B.P.M

Having mastered in Public Health, he is also a Board Certified Physician in both Aerospace and Occupational Medicine. Dr. Root has utilized the detoxification procedure developed by L.Ron Hubbard for over ten years to treat patients adversely affected by toxic chemicals or drugs. Dr. Root chaired the First International Conference on Human Detoxification.

G. Megan Shields, M.D.

Dr. Shields graduated from the Medical College of Virginia and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. She is a frequent presenter at conferences on substance abuse and public health, as well as being the author of many scientific papers on the role of detoxification. Dr. Shields is the Medical Advisor for Narconon International.

Experts on Substance Abuse and Public Health:

Addicts characteristically subordinate values such as work, family relationships, and community responsibilities to the ingestion and unwise use of alcohol and/or drugs. Social neglect and criminal behavior are frequent companions of drug abuse and alcoholism. Efforts to develop a functional normative system, as it is done by Narconon, should result in favorable outcomes. Narconon has demonstrated that this redefinition of the normative system of addicts is possible to implement with empathy, compassion, and respect for the addict.” Alfonzo Paredes, MD Professor of Psychiatry,UCLA School of Medicine Board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology.

I have never liked the concept of using drugs and medication to solve the problems created by drugs and medication. There is a place for medication but it is defined and limited.Therefore, from the very beginning of my practice it was a serious concern for me to know where I could refer patients for help.

As a doctor it was evident to me that the long-term physical, mental and emotional consequences of drug use had something to do with the residual effects of the drugs themselves. This was clearly the case as well with environmental and industrial toxins.

Customary medical procedures held no solution to this problem of drug and toxic residuals. Various 'treatments' have been proffered, ranging from the psychiatric viewpoint of getting the person to believe that the problem he was experiencing from toxins was all in his mind, to the administration of drugs to suppress the symptoms exhibited. These 'treatments' only served to compound the problem. But with the release of the Narconon New Life Detoxification Program which utilized the researches of L Ron Hubbard, I discovered that we had a solution at hand.

The depression, hopelessness and fear which so often accompany such problems were evident in many of my patients. Upon completion of the Narconon program, to which I had referred them, these persons were changed both physically and mentally. The common theme expressed by those who completed it is that they were no longer encumbered by chemicals which were shutting off their lives. They expressed increased mental clarity and new hope for the future. Their lives upon completion of the program were happier, healthier, and more productive. Beyond the detoxification program, the benefits of the Narconon practical life skills courses were an important part of their stable recovery. I was pleased to see even the most 'hard-core', seemingly hopeless cases recuperate and salvage their lives.

There is not often good news in our struggle with the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse in our society. I am happy to say that the Narconon program is good news. I encourage you to review it carefully and consider using it. Many years ago I did and I have been able to help save many lives as a result.” Megan Shields, MD, Graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice