Latest News
Dear Fellowship we are in dire need of trusted servants at the Australian Regional Service Committee. Please check out the Positions Vacant page and put in a nomination. Service keeps you clean! 🙂
The Outreach subcommittee has developed a great new initiative with a Sponsorship Expression of Interest. Those willing to sponsor can get matched up members looking for a sponsor.
We have had many inquiries and questions about health concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). We have been asked to address some of the issues and provide support for groups and Areas.
As a fellowship we have no opinion on outside issues, and it is not our role to make statements regarding health issues. We encourage NA groups to discuss the situations you are facing and the options you have to provide safe environments for those who attend your meetings. This statement has been prepared taking into account feedback from our members, and the collective experience of NA as a whole and what we have learned from how other NA service bodies are responding to the issue.
Groups may want to consider and make format changes in regard to;
· Avoiding hugs and handshakes
· Refraining from holding hands and embracing to close a meeting
· Providing meetings with hand sanitiser, extra soap, wipes etc
· Consider not offering refreshments
These are just a few thoughts; we honour each NA group’s responsibility to discuss and determine what is best for their meeting.
We have become aware that some groups are already facing issues with venues they host meetings at closing temporarily. Each group should consider their options around where and how meetings can be held and what plans they have to contact members to advise of such closures, especially at late notice.
The Australian Regional IT committee has advised of the following protocol to notify of temporary closure of meeting.
If you are part of a home group which is under a temporary closure due to the situation at hand please submit a meeting change request advising of such closures and we will update the meetings list accordingly and mark the meeting as “Temporarily suspended”. When the meeting is ready to reopen reply to the original notification you received and we will update the status. https://www.na.org.au/multi/meeting-update-form/
Large events like conventions, unity days and retreats may also be affected by measures put in place by venues, and committees may want to consider undertaking a risk assessment in deciding whether to continue, reschedule or cancel events. If you are considering attending an event please contact the service committee responsible for hosting that event or meeting or visit na.org.au as the best resource for current information for local events and meetings.
Service Bodies who conduct services under the PR banner (H&I presentations and/or PI presentations) may want to consider conducting risk assessments in deciding whether to continue providing services or suspending. Care should be taken to adhere to any restrictions provided by the facilities. We recommend that service co-ordinators maintain regular contact with facilities and with volunteers and be mindful of maintaining good relationships with current facilities or potential PR opportunities.
You may want to contact your national or local public health agencies for specific guidance regarding meetings and gatherings. We are aware of the guidelines and recommendations provided by the Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov. The World Health Organization (WHO) may also be a resource https://www.who.int/
Regardless of group decisions each individual is responsible for their own health decisions. Recovery support can come in many forms not just in person meetings. In times like this use of the telephone and technology can help us feel connected. Information regarding Australian online meetings can be found here https://www.na.org.au/multi/online-meetings/ and international online meetings can be found here https://virtual-na.org/
We are hopeful that NA members and groups can continue to provide support for one another as we move through this current situation, and we will update this information as necessary in the coming weeks. You have our best wishes.
To see the response from NA World Services click here https://www.na.org/admin/include/spaw2/uploads/pdf/Coronavirus_web_message_12Mar.pdf
Australian Regional Service Committee Admin – 15th March 2020
NA offers 12 step recovery from drug addiction. Our fellowship produces a magazine called NA Today in the hopes to promote unity and help spread our message: that an addict, any addict, can get clean and stay clean from drugs, through the NA fellowship. Recent and back issues of NA Today are available on this website. But we cannot do it without all of you, and need your help. We are always looking for content and contributors, and people to help promote the mag in their area. The magazine is a forum to share our experience, strength, and hope in print. Contributors generally state that writing something for the magazine was a fulfilling way to be of service. It gives recovering addicts and opportunity to share how 12 step recovery through NA has worked for them.
The NA Today magazine is now available online and via subscription.
Also, you can become and NA Today ‘agent’ and be a member of our subcommittee. Below is a brief description of what we hope agents can do. Contact natoday@na.org.au
• NA Today hopes to truly represent the Australian region. As such, we have “agents” which act in their area to solicit content so that we can get content from all around the region.
• Agents approach members in their area and ask them to submit content for the magazine. This is their primary and most important role.
• We would also like NA Today agents to represent the magazine to people in their area by announcing that the magazine is available, pointing people to the online subscriptions
•Agents are of course welcome to provide input into the direction of the mag in any way they think might be helpful.
• Suggesting topics for each issue of NA today.
If this sounds like something you might be interested, or if you have some content to submit, email natoday@na.org.au
YILS, Heath W (NA Today Subcommittee Chair)
Here are some to events happening around Australia to celebrate New Year’s Eve without the use of drugs.
Come along to these events and get some fellowship, fun, dancing, merriment, and recovery with your fellow recovering addicts. If it isn’t listed here, you may find that your local area is organising something, too.
One of the challenges of being in recovery is finding new ways to celebrate without using. Many of us had to learn how to have fun in recovery!
If you want to get clean and stay clean, NA can show you how to live a drug free life. Thanks to Narcotics Anonymous, you never have to use again.
If your area is having an event and you don’t see your event listed here please add it by submitting a new event.
2020 Vision of Hope – Sydney Combined Areas NYE Event
Heros and Villans – South Australia Area Fancy Dress NYE Event
ALFRED PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY