We detached this subthread from https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12573575 and marked it off-topic.

It should be deleted. I was feeling very dark when I posted it.

While I assume you mean well, the heteronormativity of your comment alone is just ... wow.

Frankly, this reads, to me, like telling a homeless person to get a job.

Isn't NA basically a Scientology front?

That said, it's interesting to note that for most of recorded history, the #1 recommendation to someone in cubano's position would be to join the locally-favored religion. Without that option -- as objectively bogus as it is -- the chances of getting his/her life back on track may be lower than they historically have been.

I think you are confusing Narcotics Anonymous www.na.org with Narcanon (the name comes from Narco Non - as in, no drugs) http://www.narconon.org/about-narconon/ which is based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard.

I have a relative that completed the Narconon program in Melbourne.

"Isn't NA basically a Scientology front?"

What? I haven't heard that one before.

Narconon[1] is a Scientology front. Not to be confused with Narcotics Anonymous

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcanon

I've never heard or read anyone say or suggest that Scientology runs NA besides you.

I think nyolfen's right, Narcotics Anonymous and Narcanon are two different orgs.