Embattled drug treatment facility Narconon faces another lawsuit

PITTSBURG COUNTY, Okla. - The Scientology-linked drug treatment program embroiled in controversy over recent deaths is facing yet another lawsuit -- the fourth in recent months.

Twenty-one-year-old William Scott, of Denver, has filed suit against Narconon.

Scott's mother, Shanna Marlow, says her son, a patient at Narconon Arrowhead several years ago, filed court papers Monday.

Scott, who used to live in Tulsa, has an adrenal condition and requires daily steroid medication.

Attorney Gary Richardson says Scott was checked in at the Narconon Arrowhead facility for just 17 days. During that time, Richardson says Scott was hospitalized three times, and was not given access to his medication.

Richardson says Scott escaped from the facility and received treatment at a different rehabilitation center in Colorado.

The lawsuit alleges negligence, violation of the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act and vicarious liability and conspiracy. It seeks damages in excess of $75,000.

SEE THE LAWSUIT

In months past, three other lawsuits were filed against Narconon for the wrongful deaths of Stacy Murphy , Hillary Holten and Gabriel Graves . The suits allege negligence on behalf of the program.

Marlow says her son "was one of the lucky ones."

In July, 2NEWS  shed light on the Canadian, Okla . facility, the flagship center of Narconon , which boasts more than 100 facilities around the world and a 70-percent success rate.

Since that time Narconon has come under fire , prompting Narconon of Oklahoma CEO Gary Smith to write an open letter to 2NEWS defending the care and effectiveness of his facility.

Stay with KJRH.com and 2NEWS for continued coverage of this story.