Public Relations Handbook - Narcotics Anonymous

Be sure to demonstrate that NA is not a part of the facility and that themembers of NA are not a part of the facility’s staff. Utilize a strict meeting format; formats should be exclusively aboutpresentation. Recovery tapes can also be helpful when carrying the NA messageinto these facilities. The attention span of clients and inmates in this setting can be short; meetingscan be shortened to accommodate this.Drug courtsCarrying the message in these facilities is an especially sensitive type of service.Only the most experienced H&I members should be selected to participate.These facilities usually have extensive requirements regarding participation fromthe outside. Extra care must be taken to fully acquaint ourselves with thefacility’s policies and restrictions. You may wish to provide H&I members withthe maximum amount of protection the facility staff can provide when workingin these types of facilities.H&I Members’ ExperienceWhat are drug courts?Many people convicted of nonviolent drug-related crimes are sent to NarcoticsAnonymous as a result of court diversion programs. Drug-court professionals addedtwelve-step programs as a part of this alternative treatment because they areeffective and there is no cost. Twelve-step programs were a part of studies thatresulted in NA being seen as a viable option for addicts. As a result of those studies,referrals to NA meetings from drug courts have increased significantly in recentyears. Drug court programs (or similar programs) are being established around theworld. The specifics of these programs may vary in different communities, but thepremise is similar.Drug courts (or court diversion programs) have made a significant impact onNarcotics Anonymous—so much of an impact that the World Board created Bulletin#31, “Meeting Attendance Cards.” Addicts often hear NA’s message of recovery as aresult of the criminal-justice system. This does not mean that NA’s relationship withdrug courts is free of challenges. Groups and ASCs that take a proactive approach totheir relationships with drug courts seem to be more successful in dealing with theimpact of drug courts on the local NA community. This section focuses on ways inwhich groups and ASCs can build relationships with drug courts as part of theirefforts to carry NA’s message of recovery.NA’s relationship with drug courtsBeing proactive means letting court officials know what the NA program is (andisn’t) and what NA can (and cannot) do. We want to create cooperativerelationships with drug courts while honoring our traditions. Having area discussionshelps members become aware of the potential impact drug courts can have on localNA meetings. These discussions give members an opportunity to offer input and findsolutions for how to handle attendance cards, accommodate numerous newcomersattending local NA meetings, and build relationships with drug-court personnel.Area discussions about drug courtsFollowing are some points the ASC can consider when discussing ways to bemore proactive with drug courts:October 2006 | PR Handbook | 57