Service Resources

This describes the experience that some groups have had when setting up bank accounts. It is not intended to endorse or suggest any particular bank.

Statement for preambles, to be read out at meetings

“The conscience of this group encourages and promotes a safe and secure environment for everyone, especially newcomers. We appeal to members to refrain from entering intimate relations with newcomers. Sexual harassment, harmful or inappropriate behaviour is not tolerated in this group. If you need support, approach a member of this group, your sponsor, or a member of NA that you trust.”

Add this statement to your homegroup preambles. Why – because you are stating in every meeting that this behaviour is not tolerated and setting a standard. It keeps the issue top of mind every week.

Everyone has a place in NA

Everyone is welcome here.  

All Narcotics Anonymous (NA) members are expected to maintain a productive environment that is free from harassing or disruptive activity. No form of harassment will be tolerated, including harassment for the following reasons: race, color, national origin, religion, disability, pregnancy, age, military status or gender. Special attention should be paid to the prohibition of sexual harassment.

This behaviour is displayed by all genders.

Everyone has a responsibility to keep the environment free of any form of harassment, and in particular sexual harassment. No one is to threaten or insinuate, either explicitly or implicitly, that a person’s refusal or willingness to submit to sexual advances will affect an NA member’s safety or freedom to attend meetings.

This issue happens across all genders, race or cultural identity, sexual orientation, age groups and religious beliefs.  As we know, secrets and shame flourish in the dark so it’s important to keep this issue out in the open.

Defining predatory behaviour

• Unwanted physical contact or contact of any kind, including sexual flirtations, touching, advances or propositions
• Verbal harassment of a sexual nature, such as lewd comments, sexual jokes or references, and sharing sensitive and offensive personal information
• Demeaning, insulting, intimidating, or sexually suggestive comments about an individual
• The display of demeaning, insulting, intimidating, or sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or photographs
• Demeaning, insulting, intimidating, or sexually suggestive written, recorded, or electronically transmitted messages, such as email, and text messaging
• Attention either in person or via electronic means suggesting meeting up or offers of support to newcomers

Predatory behaviour doesn’t only happen in mixed groups, it can happen everywhere – in common needs meetings, before and after the meeting, at social gatherings, and in everyday life entirely outside the context of NA meetings.

Zoom meetings can also be an avenue for targeting people with unwanted attention – by using the chat function for inappropriate suggestions or invitations to meet and/or communicate outside the meeting.

Common situations

• An older member pressuring a younger member
• Younger members pressuring other younger members
• Anyone soliciting contact details or phone numbers covertly or indirectly
• Using hospitals and institutions (H&I) to pick up newcomers
• Younger members preying on older members
• Someone with substantial clean time picking up newcomers
• Seemingly casual Facebook or Instagram messages to catch up
• Any one-on-one invitation that is not wanted or sought out
• Hugs or touching that makes you feel uncomfortable
• Kissing or hugging someone you don’t know – or who clearly doesn’t want physical contact
• Sharing about intimate or inappropriate issues in meetings, things that can be sexually suggestive or not relevant to recovery

Taking action

Any person who believes that someone’s actions or words constitute unwelcome harassment has a responsibility to report or complain about the situation as soon as possible. The report or complaint should be made to your sponsor, a member of your home group, or someone in recovery with clean time who you trust.

The behaviour is not your responsibility to hide or witness alone. We have a collective duty to protect each other and keep NA safe for all who need it. The person responsible for the behaviour needs to know they too are seen and can find help if they need it – but that this behaviour will not be tolerated in NA. Always ask for help with dealing with this behaviour.

You will be listened to, if you decide to bring a grievance to your Area or the Region. Seek support from people you know and trust. As a final resort, you can put out a protection order on the person. The perpetrator has a right to take a grievance to the RSC or ASC if targeted with a protection order and their rights will be respected.

Anything serious (criminal behaviour) needs to go straight to the Police. NA is not the law.

Everyone is responsible

Anyone is capable of this behaviour. Talk to the person displaying the behaviour to help them to let go of any denial. Don’t do it one on one, take support with you, ask people with good recovery and experience, strength and hope to deal with this in a loving way.

Choose a safe space for a conversation. Be gentle, loving and firm and choose your language carefully.  For example; “I’ve become aware, this is unacceptable, it’s not ok, how can we support you to change this?”

To the person receiving unwanted attention – this is not your secret to keep, you didn’t cause it, ask for support from older cleaner members. You are encouraged to speak up for yourself. Ask other members to help you find the right words.

Take personal responsibility for your own safety – have a sponsor, read the literature, develop friendships with people you trust, join a homegroup, talk about how you feel and listen to others. It is ok if you initially feel you have to say yes or agree to something you feel uncomfortable with, you can change your mind at any time. What you didn’t care about in the beginning becomes less tolerable over time.  

You don’t have to explain yourself – “No.” is a complete sentence!

Home groups

Collectively take responsibility for keeping an eye on newcomers particularly. Approach newcomers and ask them how they can be supported.  Have a group conscience and agree on an approach towards newcomers. Nominate a person to greet newcomers at the door. Create an email address for confidential feedback or support so people can report their experiences.

Subscribe to the “Just For Today” daily meditation email service here.

First of all – congratulations for wanting to carry the NA message to the addict who still suffers. It is great that you have the willingness and commitment to start a new meeting.

Depending on where you live, your local Area Service Committee (Northern, Central and Southern) is there to support you. You can make contact through our phoneline 0800 NA TODAY or send an email to the Aotearoa New Zealand regional web committee.

Things to think about before opening the doors

We suggest you consider a few important things before you take the next step.

We have found that it is best to start a meeting because it will first of all benefit your own recovery. The recoveries of fellow addicts come second.

The RSC funds a group starter packs for new NA meetings. One per group is available from FSO on request for any new group in its first 3 months. If the meeting closes, FSO requests that any surplus literature/banners etc are returned to the Groups Area Committee. Established groups needing literature support, please approach the Groups Area Committee. Institutional meeting like prisons, please contact Area Committee Hospitals and Institutions chair.

To obtain one of these packs for your new meeting contact the FSO with this link.

Keeping your meeting going

The shop also has all the pamphlets/books/keytags/medallions that your meeting may want to have available for members.
It is important to find a venue that promotes an atmosphere of recovery, can be rented long term and allows for meeting growth.

Such things as central location, public transport, wheelchair access, parking and affordable rent are also important.

We suggest that you find another member willing to commit their support for six months whilst the meeting gets under way.

Another good idea is reading “The Group” booklet.

“A Guide to Local Service” (GLS) can also be an invaluable source of information for groups. It has heaps of information on meeting formats, roles for trusted servants, information about the service structure etc. In short, it will tell you everything you need to know about running NA groups, and providing a positive atmosphere of recovery.

Your group can decide what format to have at your meeting. It might be to discuss a piece of literature, focus on a topic, share on “experience strength and hope”, or talk about the 12 Steps or 12 Traditions. With a new meeting, it is often helpful to read from the literature, and then discuss it.

The financial side

Collecting, banking and keeping track of the Seventh Tradition money is really important when you are getting started. We suggest you open a bank account for your group, with at least two signatories. Your Area can assist with this process, and some groups have written about what they did here.

The Group Treasurer’s Workbook makes it really simple to keep track of your group accounts. 

Connecting to other groups and the wider fellowship

Inform your NA Area that you are starting a meeting and ask to have your meeting listed on the meetings list and website. Shortly after this happens, your group will be registered with World Services.

Find out when the next Area Service Committee (ASC) meeting is so a group member can attend and get support.

The ASC meetings are held approximately every eight or twelve weeks. They are a great way to get support and get a sense of the wider NA Fellowship.

To find out how to get your meeting better known in your area, contact your local NA Public Relations committee for support. You can get hold of them through the ASC, or through the regional web commmittee: [email protected].

It is incredible to think that NA is a worldwide fellowship, represented in some 139 countries. To learn more about what is happening on a global level, you can subscribe to the NA Way magazine at www.na.org.

Lastly be prepared to be the only members at the meeting for a while, be patient and have faith.