New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project

New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project
Formation	2003
Headquarters	New York, NY
Director	Jim Woodworth
Website	nydetox.org; detoxacademy.org;

The New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project was founded in New York City in 2003 with the stated purpose of treating rescue workers for toxins inhaled from the smoke of the September 11 attacks.^[1] It has two clinics: Downtown Medical on Fulton Street, two blocks from the site of the World Trade Center, and another at Williston Park, Long Island.^[2]^[3]^[4] The project's co-founder and top fundraiser is actor Tom Cruise.^[1] It uses the Purification Rundown, a detoxification program invented by L. Ron Hubbard as part of Scientology's Bridge to Total Freedom. This rundown has been criticized by many doctors as pseudoscientific and medically dangerous.^[1]^[5]^[6] It was reported in October 2007 that 838 people had completed the New York program.^[7]

The project has been supported by some public officials, and received some public funding, but received criticism for its financial ties to the Church of Scientology,^[1] for exposing rescue workers to potential medical dangers,^[8] and for discouraging use of orthodox medicine.^[3] Sources in the Fire Department told a reporter that several participants had joined Scientology, even disconnecting from their families.^[9]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d DeSio, John (May 31, 2007). "The Rundown on Scientology's Purification Rundown: What Scientologists aren't telling you about their detox program (and how much it's costing you)". New York Press.
^ Cite error: The named reference slate was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b O'Donnell, Michelle (October 4, 2003). "Scientologist's Treatments Lure Firefighters". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
^ Whitely, Margaret (June 18, 2004). "Tom Cruise Opens Rescue Workers Detox Clinic". The Illustrated News (online edition). Anton Newspapers.
^ Cite error: The named reference welkos was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference doward was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Carey, Art (October 7, 2007). "Clinic's results make 9/11 responders believe. Critics aside, they say Scientology's detox center cures ills". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
^ Cite error: The named reference crouch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Friedman, Roger (December 22, 2006). "Tom Cruise Can't Put Out These Fires". Fox 411. Fox. Archived from the original on January 9, 2007. Retrieved February 2, 2009.

[NYP-1] DeSio, John (May 31, 2007). "The Rundown on Scientology's Purification Rundown: What Scientologists aren't telling you about their detox program (and how much it's costing you)". New York Press.

[slate-2] Cite error: The named reference slate was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[odonnell-3] O'Donnell, Michelle (October 4, 2003). "Scientologist's Treatments Lure Firefighters". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2009.

[whitely-4] Whitely, Margaret (June 18, 2004). "Tom Cruise Opens Rescue Workers Detox Clinic". The Illustrated News (online edition). Anton Newspapers.

[welkos-5] Cite error: The named reference welkos was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[doward-6] Cite error: The named reference doward was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[results-7] Carey, Art (October 7, 2007). "Clinic's results make 9/11 responders believe. Critics aside, they say Scientology's detox center cures ills". The Philadelphia Inquirer.

[crouch-8] Cite error: The named reference crouch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[foxnews-9] Friedman, Roger (December 22, 2006). "Tom Cruise Can't Put Out These Fires". Fox 411. Fox. Archived from the original on January 9, 2007. Retrieved February 2, 2009.

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