Public Relations Handbook - Narcotics Anonymous

is attractive, newcomers and potential members are more likely to get a positiveimpression of NA.We can also think about attraction as it relates to those who help addicts findNA (who may not be addicts themselves). Our individual attitudes have an effecton our collective appearance. How do we help professionals become aware ofwhat NA has to offer? We cannot expect nonaddicts to fully understandaddiction in the same way we, as addicts, do. What we can do is illustrate thepower of recovery within the NA program to those who are not members. Why is it important to conduct ourselves in a way that positively affects NAas a whole? What can members do to make NA more attractive to the public?Cooperation, not affiliationHow can we work with the public and other organizations without merging oraffiliating with them? One of the ways in which we practice cooperation is byremembering that NA members are responsible for observing the principles ofour traditions. Facilities and other organizations do not have this responsibility.We can practice this responsibility by following our own principles, relying on ourservice committees, and studying NA’s traditions and concepts. How can we work with the public and other organizations withoutendorsing or affiliating with them? What is our experience (as members and as an area) with cooperating withthe public?Tradition ThreeNarcotics Anonymous is open to anyone seeking freedom from activeaddiction and our public relations efforts need to support that inclusiveness. Ourservice efforts need to ensure that everyone is welcome in NA—from thehouseholder to the convict. As our Basic Text says, our service efforts shouldstrive to reach all addicts “regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religionor lack of religion.” How can we demonstrate the diversity of our program so that membersfrom varying backgrounds feel welcome? How can our service efforts better support the principle of inclusiveness?Narcotics Anonymous offers recovery to addicts around the world. Wefocus on the disease of addiction rather than any particular drug. Ourmessage is broad enough to attract addicts from any social class ornationality. When new members come to meetings, our sole interest is intheir desire for freedom from active addiction and how we can be of help.It Works: How and WhyPublic relations and the criminal justice systemCorrectional institutions, jails, and prisonsThe purpose of bringing panels and meetings into institutions is to carry NA’smessage to those who cannot regularly attend outside meetings. Our approacheswill vary based on the type of facility and the rules of each facility. The specific detailsof this chapter apply to facilities in the United States, but the underlying methods can50 | Chapter 6 | Criminal Justice