Narconon Arrowhead in Canadian is already the largest drug rehabilitation and education facility of any of the Narconon facilities, which now operate in 36 countries.
Now, plans are under way for the Narconon Arrowhead program in Pittsburg County to grow even larger.
The growth is one of the reasons Narconon Arrowhead plans to celebrate the completion of its second year in Pittsburg County.
A free barbecue, which is open to the community, is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Southeast Expo Center west of McAlester. An education program for children who want to attend is set to begin at 6:15.
Featured speakers at 7 p.m. include actress, writer, and entrepreneur Priscilla Presley and District 7 state Sen. Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne.
Following an awards ceremony, music from the British swing-jazz band, the Jive Aces, is to begin at 8 p.m.
“A good time will definitely be had by all,” said Narconon Arrowhead President Luke Catton.
Narconon Arrowhead covers 256 acres in Canadian, adjacent to Arrowhead State Park, with 230 licensed beds to treat individuals with drug addictions.
Catton said Narconon Arrowhead plans to construct a new training center, a new maintenance center, and hopefully, a third building.
The training center is currently inside the lodge at Narconon Arrowhead, in the building previously known as Arrowhead State Lodge.
“The lodge is being filled by our students,” Catton said.
He said the new buildings are in the planning and design stage.
Meanwhile preparations were being completed for the Saturday event, with the theme “A Community That Pulls Together Can Make A Better Society For All.”
Also set to speak following the barbecue are District 18 Attorney Chris Wilson, Narconon International President Clark Carr and Donna Wood, director of a recovery advocacy group.
Narconon Arrowhead Public Contact Supervisor Erica Catton said the public should enjoy the music of the Jive Aces.
“They are a swing and jazz band from London, England,” she said. “They have a unique sound that’s rock ‘n’ roll and jazz together.”
The band features a vocalist, bass, piano and drums, along with trumpet, saxophone, clarinet and trombone players.
The Jive Aces will play music for listening or dancing.
“There will be a dance floor,” Erica Catton said.
Narconon Arrowhead, which used methods created by author L. Ron Hubbard, started operations in July 2001.