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Son claims Hubbard was heavy drug user

Title: Son claims Hubbard was heavy drug user
Date: Saturday, 13 November 1982
Publisher: Press-Enterprise (Riverside, California)
Author: Bob LaBarre
Main source: link (109 KiB)

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L. Ron Hubbard wrote his most important books and articles, the foundation of the Church of Scientology and his psycho-therapeutic treatment, Dianetics, while "saturated" with cocaine and other drugs, according to his son.

Ronald E. DeWolf, the oldest of Hubbard's six children, contends his father distorted his military record to create cult devotion to his budding church. And, the son maintains, his father lied about his physical health, maintaining that Dianetics had made him well, when in fact he was severely ill.

Moreover, the church founder suffered from venereal disease for most of his adult life, and his general physical condition, so deteriorated over the years that in 1974 he broke a wrist when he swatted a fly. And he also suffered from mental illnesses for decades, requiring hospitalization for suicidal tendencies.

That is part of the picture Hubbard's son has drawn of his father in a sworn declaration filed this week in Riverside Superior Court.

DeWolf, who changed his name from L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. in 1972, said he worked with his father from 1949 to 1959, developing the church and promoting its activities. He left the church, he said, and, when Scientology began "operations" against him, he changed his name.

DeWolf's 16-page declaration is an abbreviated biography of a man who went from science fiction writer to head of a worldwide church that has earned, by some estimates, hundreds of millions of dollars. The son alleged in court papers that his father's assets are being looted and he wants them protected.

In 1950, Hubbard published "Dianetics — The Modem Science of Mental Health," which became an instant success. The book became the theoretical foundation of Scientology.

But long before the book entered its first printing, Hubbard was a user of a number of drugs, his son said in his sworn declaration.

"Between the years 1944 and 1959, I have personal knowledge that my father regularly used illegal drugs, including amphetamines, barbiturates and hallucinogens. He regularly used cocaine, peyote and mescaline."

In "Dianetics," Hubbard advanced his theory that most illnesses resulted from painful experiences reasserting themselves from the "reactive mind." The recollections interfered with the rational mind. He devised a way of putting to rest — "auditing" or "processing" — the disturbing intrusions.

In fact, according to DeWolf, Hubbard's beliefs came from black magic and satanic theories associated with the Order of Templars Orientalis and its founder, Englishman Aleister Crowley.

For example, Hubbard became involved with John W. Parsons, a close associate of Crowley's, and Sarah Northrup, at the end of World War II, according to the document.

The trio attempted to create a "moonchild" during 11 days of rituals when "an unborn human embryo was 'implanted' with 'satanic power.' " Shortly afterward, Parsons claimed that Hubbard stole $20,000 from him, acquired a yacht and ran off with Northrup in August, 1946, the son said.

At the time, Hubbard was still married to DeWolf's mother, Margaret Louise Grubb, when he entered a "bigamous marriage" with Northrup in Chestertown, Md.

The marriage produced a daughter, Alexis Hollister Connolly, who was born four years later in Point Pleasant, N.J. The next year, Northrup sued for divorce after trying to have Hubbard hospitalized for "paranoid schizophrenia," according to DeWolf.

For nearly three decades, Hubbard has claimed that Dianetics has kept him in excellent health and that it can heal injuries and diseases. Hubbard has claimed he was "crippled and blinded" in World War II and healed himself. DeWolf, however, said the claim was not even remotely true.

In fact, he said, "My father's naval career was a disaster."

In early 1942, Hubbard was ruled unfit for any "available" assignment, according to the declaration. He bounced from assignment to assignment in the United States and did not serve in combat, as he claimed, and was not "one of the most highly decorated officers in W.W.II." as he also claimed, the document said.

In the Cold War years of the 1950s, Hubbard turned to theorizing that Dianetics could cure radiation burns from nuclear fall-out. In 1957, he wrote "All About Radiation."

However, by that time, "he was saturated with cocaine and severely deluded," DeWolf said. ". . . His books were written from his imagination, off the top of his head, while under the influence of drugs."

Although Hubbard has claimed that anyone reaching the advanced state of "clear" will not suffer so much as a cold, Hubbard was ill for decades, his son said.

"Throughout most of his life, my father has suffered from recurrent cycles of severe mental and emotional illness, characterized by several hospitalizations, suicidal inclinations and ideation, excessive drug usage, advanced venereal disease," he said.