Public Relations Handbook - NA

1 Public Relations Statement Why Public Relations is important to the NA member he 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.

2 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: arcotics 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.

3 Since the publication of our Basic Text in 1983, the number of members and meetings has increased dramatically. Today1, 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.

4 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. 1 As of April 2016. TN Public RelationsHandbookNarcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Chatsworth, California, USA Copyright 2006, 2007 by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved. World Service Office PO Box 9999 Van Nuys, CA 91409, USA T F World Service Office Canada Mississauga, Ontario World Service Office Europe Brussels, Belgium T +32/2/346 60 12 World Service Office Iran Tehran, Iran This is NA Conference-approved literature.

5 12/16 Narcotics Anonymous, and The NA Way are registered trademarks of Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Incorporated. ISBN 978-1-55776-684-7 WSO Catalog Item No. 2102A preface .. v Section 1 chapter 1: NA and Public Relations .. 1 chapter 2: Core Public Relations Principles .. 5 chapter 3: Effective Services .. 19 chapter 4: Preparation and Training for Interacting with the Public .. 29 Section 2 chapter 5: Media .. 39 chapter 6: Criminal Justice .. 49 chapter 7: Treatment: Inpatient, Outpatient, and Residential Settings .. 63 chapter 8: Healthcare .. 73 chapter 9: Phonelines .. 81 chapter 10: Internet Technology .. 91 chapter 11: Event Planning.

6 97 chapter 12: Fellowship Development .. 105 chapter 13: Government .. 113 conclusion .. 117 contents Welcome to the Public Relations Handbook ! n Narcotics Anonymous, Public Relations simply means taking a more conscientious approach to the relationships we create with the Public . This is the subject of the Public Relations Handbook : NA s relationships with the Public . These relationships are usually the result of members interactions at meetings and events, members performing specific service functions, and members representing NA (sometimes unknowingly) during the daily routine of their lives. The scope of Public Relations is broad. And because of that, this material is designed to help all of us in the many ways we interact with the Public .

7 We can think about Public Relations as dynamic relationships. The ways we create and maintain relationships with the Public will continue to change and grow over time. Because of these evolving needs, the principles and planning tools in Chapters Two and Three are the foundation of the Public Relations Handbook . When our relationships with the Public change, the principles and planning techniques stay consistent. In addition, much of the Handbook s support material will be updated regularly to meet the changing needs of our Public Relations service efforts. The Public Relations Handbook is simply a place to begin; it is a tool members can use to become more aware and informed.

8 You are the ones who will use this material to create a variety of inspired PR approaches in your local communities. preface IPublic Relations Statement Why Public Relations is important to the NA member he 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.

9 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: arcotics Anonymous is a global, community-based organization with a multi-lingual and multicultural membership.

10 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. Today1, 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.