Public Relations Handbook - Narcotics Anonymous

chapter6C RIMINAL J USTICEThis chapter contains information about carrying NA’s message into variouscorrectional facilities (including long-term, short-term, juvenile, andcorrectional psychiatric units). In the spirit of creating long-lasting relationshipswith correctional facilities, we encourage area service committees to research,understand, and engage with the personnel at the facility or institution. Our personalconduct—including the way members dress, speak, and interact with correctionalpersonnel—has a powerful impact on NA’s relationships with such facilities and NA’spublic image. Relationships based on mutual respect and understanding are likely tosupport NA’s ultimate goal of reaching suffering addicts.Key topicsCore PR principlesPR & the criminal justice systemPlanning & preparation for areas& committeesPutting your plan into actionDiscussing & addressing knownchallenges in criminal justiceDrug courtsResourcesKey icons Practical experience Preparation and training tips PR principles for discussionCore public relations principlesThis section is excerpted from Chapter Two.AttractionThis chapter also addresses ways tocreate relationships with drug courts.Many people convicted of nonviolentdrug-related crimes are sent toNarcotics Anonymous as a result ofcourt diversion programs. NAcommunities around the world arefinding a growing number of courtmandatedaddicts attending local NAmeetings. The material here containspractical solutions for interacting withdrug courts and addicts referred toNA through the criminal-justicesystem, as well as discussion points forgroups about how NA’s principles canapply to this influx of court-mandatedaddicts. The specifics of courtdiversion programs may vary indifferent countries, but the principlescontained in this section can be appliedin almost any situation.The attractiveness of the behaviors and attitudes of individual NA members andthe collective appearance of our fellowship is essential in making our public relationsefforts more valuable. Attraction means that we function (as members and asgroups) in ways that naturally draw others to us. When members act in a way thatOctober 2006 | PR Handbook | 49