Public Relations Statement

Why public relations is important to the NA member

The Narcotics Anonymous message is “that an addict, any addict, can
stop using drugs, lose the desire to use and find a new way to live.”
Our relations with the public enable us to share this message broadly
so that those who might benefit from our program of recovery can find us.
We perform public relations service to increase the awareness and credibility
of the NA program. We share our message openly with the public at large,
with prospective members, and with professionals. Maintaining an open,
attractive attitude in these efforts helps us to create and improve relationships
with those outside the fellowship. Establishing and maintaining a commitment
to these relationships, can help us to further our primary purpose.
The spiritual principles of our steps, traditions, and concepts guide us in
pursuing our public relations aims and our efforts to enhance NA’s public image
and reputation. These principles apply to our community and service efforts as
well as to the personal behavior and attitude of individual NA members.

Informing professionals and the public
The following statement can be used to inform the public about NA:

Narcotics Anonymous is a global, community-based organization with a
multi-lingual and multicultural membership. NA was founded in 1953,
and our membership growth was minimal during our initial twenty
years as an organization. Since the publication of our Basic Text in 1983, the
number of members and meetings has increased dramatically. Today, NA
members hold nearly 67,000 meetings weekly in 139 countries. We offer
recovery from the effects of addiction through working a twelve-step
program, including regular attendance at group meetings. The group
atmosphere provides help from peers and offers an ongoing support network
for addicts who wish to pursue and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.
Our name, Narcotics Anonymous, is not meant to imply a focus on any
particular drug; NA’s approach makes no distinction between drugs including
alcohol. Membership is free, and we have no affiliation with any organizations
outside of NA including governments, religions, law enforcement groups, or
medical and psychiatric associations. Through all of our service efforts and our
cooperation with others seeking to help addicts, we strive to reach a day
when every addict in the world has an opportunity to experience our message
of recovery in his or her own language and culture.

As of April 2016.

Email: Public Relations