NORTHERN NEW YORK REGION OF

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

Public Relations and Hospitals & Institutions

Drug replacement Therapy Workshop

Tradition 3 The only requirement for membership is a desire to

stop using.

D i s c u s s i n g a n d a d d r e s s i n g k n o w n c h a l l e n g e s

i n t r e a tme n t s e t t i n g s

Drug replacement Areas and groups often enter

into discussions about drug-replacement therapies and the Narcotics Anonymous program. NA’s Third and Tenth Traditions are essential to these discussions. We need to remember that we cannot assess anyone’s desire to get clean and that NA has no opinion on drug-replacement therapies.

However, the experience of NA members is that being clean means complete abstinence from all mood- and mind-altering drugs, including those used in drug-replacement therapies. As our Basic Text states, “Complete abstinence is the foundation for our new life.”

Raising awareness about our Third Tradition—that the only requirement for membership in NA is a desire to stop using drugs—can benefit discussions about drug replacement. Anyone is welcome at NA meetings, even if they seem as though they don’t know if they want to stop using drugs. A group must always maintain its primary purpose of carrying NA’s message of recovery to addicts.

Although NA is a program of complete abstinence, nowhere does NA say a person has to be clean to attend NA meetings; we need to be aware of this when interacting with drug replacement clients.

Sometimes meeting formats ask those who have used drugs not to speak—but it is not our job to judge or evaluate if someone is clean or not. Our Third Tradition cautions us from judging another member’s desire and encourages us to welcome any addict who comes into an NA meeting.

In our public relations service, we may choose to limit the participation of members on drug-replacement medication. We do this because we do not want the NA program to be misrepresented; we are a program of complete abstinence. Yet, we want to be inclusive, so we treat these situations sensitively by taking members aside and sharing our own experience with living drug-free.

We can share that some members have tapered their drug use to abstinence through replacement methods (World Services Bulletin #29 can be a useful resource). We can also share that drug replacement may seem to help today, but our experience with recovery in NA means that we are able to live free from all drugs without the need to substitute one drug for another.

A VISION FOR NA SERVICE

All of the efforts of Narcotics Anonymous are inspired by the primary purpose of the groups we serve. Upon this

common ground we stand committed. Our vision is that one day: Every addict in the world has the chance to

experience our message in his or her own language and culture and find the opportunity for a new way of life;

Every member, inspired by the gift of recovery, experiences spiritual growth and fulfillment through service; 

NA service bodies worldwide work together in a spirit of unity and cooperation to support the groups in carrying our message of recovery; 

Narcotics Anonymous has universal recognition and respect as a viable program of recovery.  

Honesty, trust, and goodwill are the foundation of our service efforts, all of which rely upon the guidance of a loving Higher Power.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

“That no addict seeking recovery need ever die from the horrors of addiction without knowing that there is a better

way of life, my gratitude speaks when I care and when I share with others the NA way.” Gratitude prayer

“To fulfill our fellowship’s primary purpose, the NA groups have joined together to create a structure which develops, coordinates, and maintains services on behalf of NA as a whole.” 1st Concept.

In order to keep NA as a visible, respected, useful, and attractive community resource consistent information must be made readily available to the communities in which we live and recover.

It should not be difficult for those who may want or need our help, or wish to refer addicts to NA to find our meetings and services.

TRADITION10 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS HAS NO OPINION ON OUTSIDE ISSUES; HENCE THE N.A. NAME OUGH

T NEVER BE DRAWN INTO PUBLIC CONTROVERSY.

We are not taking any position or having any opinion on DRT

From IP # 29Our program of recovery begins with abstinence from all drugs, including alcohol. Sometimes people come to NA meetings while still using drugs, detoxing from drugs, or on drug replacement therapy. Regardless of what you may be taking when you first come to NA, you are welcome. Also, newer members often have questions about prescribed medications. We encourage you to read NA literature including the Basic Text and the booklet In Times of Illness, which will explain NA’s approach to recovery. It also helps to talk to NA members who have faced similar situations about what worked for them.

From FLANA ASC GuidelinesNo member serving in the capacity of a public representative of the finger lakes of Narcotics Anonymous may currently be on a Drug Replacement Therapy or Treatment. This includes the following:

ASC Officers Subcommittee Officers Speakers or public presenters

This applies only to "Drug Replacement Therapy" and "Drug Replacement Treatment" whereas a person is specifically in a program of treatment that uses one chemical to replace a narcotic. This does NOT apply based on specific chemicals or medications.This does not in any way judge or determine a member's length or quality of clean time. All members are welcome and encouraged to be involved in service.

I CAN’T, WE CAN